The case pertains to allegations that approximately 4.5 kilograms of gold was misappropriated during renovation work at the famed Sabarimala temple in 2019. During the maintenance, old gold plates were removed from the sanctum sanctorum doors and the statues of the dwarapalakas (guardian deities) and replaced with new ones. Acting on a Kerala High Court order, the SIT is probing the alleged fraud.

The investigation gained momentum after the arrest of 11 individuals, including the Sabarimala chief priest (Thantri) earlier this month. The probe zeroed in on the main accused, Bengaluru-based businessman and former assistant of a junior priest at Sabarimala, Unnikrishnan Potti, ollowing a 10-hour interrogation and his subsequent arrest in October last year.

Actor Jayaram's name surfaced after photos and videos purportedly showing his association with Unnikrishnan Potti went viral on social media. It is alleged that before being transported to Sabarimala in 2019, the newly gold-plated sheets were kept for religious rituals (pooja) at a workshop in Chennai and also at Jayaram's home.

This alleged link led the SIT to decide to include him as a witness. During the questioning at his home, Jayaram reportedly stated that he has been a devoted pilgrim to Sabarimala for 40 years and knew Unnikrishnan Potti in that capacity. He explained that he had only requested permission to keep the items at his house for a few minutes for a prayer ritual while they were en route to Sabarimala.

Immediately after the controversy erupted Jayaram had already said that he had asked to keep them at his home for a few minutes for a prayer as they were sacred objects. Otherwise, he has no connection to any financial fraud or illegal activities. Jayaram had added, "If any wrongdoing has happened in this matter, as a devotee, I am ready to face it."