Thiruvananthapuram: Amid growing uncertainty over the ‘missing gold-plated panels’ from Sabarimala’s Dwarapalaka idols, the government has zeroed in on Unnikrishnan Potty, the sponsor of the gold-plating works.

As part of the inquiry, the Devaswom Vigilance team interrogated Unnikrishnan for four hours on Saturday. The government has assessed that his financial transactions raise suspicion and that he may be part of a larger racket involving several others.

Investigators are probing whether funds were raised under the guise of gold-plating sponsorship and whether these amounts were diverted to others. A separate inquiry will also be conducted into the wealth accumulated by Unnikrishnan.

Once the Devaswom Vigilance, which is currently handling the case, submits its report to the High Court next week, the government is expected to express its readiness to hand over the investigation to the Crime Branch. The plan under consideration is to have the probe led by an officer of ADGP rank. Meanwhile, the Opposition has demanded that the case be handed over to the CBI.

At the same time, the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) will also request the High Court to order an investigation into the ‘missing gold’ controversy, covering the period from 1998—when businessman Vijay Mallya donated gold sheets for plating the sanctum sanctorum of the Sabarimala temple—up to 2025.