Ironically, the main person accused in the case, Unnikrishnan Potti, was the one who filed the initial complaint about the missing pedestal. Investigators now have evidence suggesting Potti was involved in replacing the gold cladding on the temple’s dwarapalaka sculptures and doors with gold-plated panels in both 2019 and 2025.
Following this, devotees began demanding an investigation into corruption allegations at other temples. A recent state audit report on the Guruvayur Sri Krishna temple revealed reported misappropriation of about ₹25 crore between 2019 and 2021.
The audit report highlighted poor record-keeping of offerings and temple assets. Key records are missing, including the forest department’s mahazar report for 522 kg of elephant tusks kept at Punnathur Kotta. Additionally, artifacts made of copper, brass, bell metal, and panchaloha received as offerings since February 11, 2016, have not been accounted for. The report also noted that large donations were not recorded in the official registers, and there were discrepancies in the double register for gold and silver ritual items.
A litigant, Mahendrakumar, who is seeking transparency in temple management at the Kerala High Court, mentioned a specific instance: “Parameswaran Namboothiri of Kodavalli mana presented a massive bronze uruli (vessel) weighing 2,000 kg and worth about ₹15 lakh to the temple on February 22, 2022. But, it’s not even mentioned in the devaswom stock register.”
With input from TNIE
For more details: Navamalayalam.com
