In a significant development pertaining to the controversial Shabarimala gold theft case, senior actor Jayaram was questioned by the Special Investigation Team (SIT). The inquiry focuses on his connection to the main accused, Unnikrishnan Potty, with whom Jayaram has been seen participating in several religious rituals. This connection has drawn the attention of the SIT, which is probing the matter to ascertain the nature of their relationship.
On Friday, SIT officials arrived at Jayaram’s residence in Chennai, where they conducted an extensive interrogation. Reports suggest that they inquired about the specifics of his association with Unnikrishnan Potty, including how they met and whether there were any financial transactions between them. The actor’s statement was officially recorded during this session, indicating the seriousness with which the investigation is being handled.
Jayaram, a well-known figure in Malayalam cinema, is also familiar to audiences in Tamil, Telugu, and Kannada films. The ongoing investigation is centered around allegations that gold has gone missing from the main temple at Shabarimala, specifically from the door frames of the sanctum sanctorum and the guardian deity statues. Unnikrishnan Potty, a businessman from Bengaluru, has been identified as the primary suspect in this case.
Photos and videos of Jayaram participating in rituals alongside Potty have gone viral on social media, raising eyebrows and prompting further scrutiny. The SIT has established that these rituals occurred after the alleged gold theft, which has led to a deeper investigation into the nature of the relationship between the actor and the accused.
To date, the SIT has arrested a total of 12 individuals in connection with the case. Meanwhile, former members of the Travancore Devaswom Board, Murari Babu and Srikumar, have been released on bail. They were granted bail after the SIT failed to file a charge sheet within the stipulated time frame of 90 days. While Potty has also been granted bail in this case, he remains incarcerated due to other pending charges against him.
The investigation continues to unfold, with the SIT actively pursuing all leads to clarify the circumstances surrounding the theft and the individuals involved. As the case garners more media attention, the implications for those connected, including Jayaram, are yet to be fully understood.
