Pathanamthitta: The Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the Sabarimala gold theft case on Monday arrested sponsor Unnikrishnan Potty in connection with another case involving the missing gold from the door frames of the sreekovil (sanctum sanctorum).

Acting on a Kerala High Court directive, the SIT had registered two separate cases related to the theft — one concerning the gold plating on the dwarapalaka idols and the other involving the sreekovil door frames. Potty had previously been arrested in connection with the theft of gold from the dwarapalaka plates, officials added.

He was produced before the Judicial First Class Magistrate Court in Ranni on Monday afternoon, a police official said. The SIT filed a petition seeking his custody in the second case, the officer added. After hearing both sides, the court granted the SIT custody of the accused for 10 days.

"I will fully cooperate with the investigation," Potty told reporters while being taken out of the court. He was later shifted to the Crime Branch office in Thiruvananthapuram.

As part of the ongoing probe, the SIT had earlier arrested former Sabarimala administrative officer B Murari Babu and executive officer D Sudheesh Kumar. 

Meanwhile, the SIT on Sunday recorded the statement of former Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) president N Vasu in Thiruvananthapuram. Vasu was the TDB president in 2019 when the gold-clad 'dwarapalaka' plates were handed over to Potty for electroplating, after which the gold was found missing. He had earlier served as the TDB commissioner before being promoted as president.