The Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the Sabarimala gold theft has identified a Chennai-based firm’s CEO and a Ballari jeweller as key facilitators in the crime, according to a remand report submitted before the Kollam Vigilance Court.

The report names Pankaj Bhandari, CEO of Smart Creations in Chennai, and Govardhan, a jeweller from Ballari, stating that their roles came to light following disclosures by the prime accused, Unnikrishnan Potti. Investigators said material evidence gathered during the probe pointed to their direct involvement in executing and concealing the offence.

According to the SIT, the accused used the pretext of routine maintenance to move gold-plated sheets from the Sabarimala temple’s door frame and dwarapalaka idols to Smart Creations. The gold was later extracted, with a portion allegedly sold to the Ballari-based jeweller. Around 400 grams of gold believed to be part of the stolen material has already been recovered from the jeweller.

Investigators suspect that the remaining gold may have been sold at a premium due to its religious significance. The SIT further stated that Govardhan acted as the link between Unnikrishnan Potti and Bhandari, helping establish the inter-state network behind the theft.