Thiruvananthapuram: The first accused in Sabarimala gold robbery case, Unnikrishnan Potti, lodged a complaint with state police chief against former minister and Kazhakkoottam MLA Kadakampally Surendran, alleging that the legislator was behind a land fraud complaint filed against him.In his complaint, Potti alleged that Surendran instigated a woman from Kazhakkoottam, identified as Prathibha, to file the complaint accusing him of illegally grabbing her land. According to Potti, the land was legally purchased, and the complaint was part of a deliberate attempt to trap him in another case and divert attention from the ongoing investigation into Sabarimala gold robbery case.Potti claimed that Surendran earlier approached him seeking financial help for Prathibha. He alleged that the complaint was orchestrated to send him back to jail and prevent allegations and investigation from reaching the MLA.The complaint also contains references suggesting that Surendran earlier maintained close contact with Potti. Potti stated that he purchased 10 cents of land belonging to Prathibha in 2017. The issue later turned into a financial dispute and in 2024 discussions were held at Thumba police station, with Surendran acting as an intermediary to resolve the matter, according to the complaint.The fresh allegations come at a time when Potti recently secured bail in cases linked to Sabarimala gold robbery. Soon after his release on bail, Prathibha filed a complaint with special investigation team (SIT) alleging that Potti fraudulently took possession of her land and later sold it.In her complaint to SIT, Prathibha alleged that the land fraud took place in 2020 and that the property she gave as security was later sold by Potti. Following the complaint, SIT began an investigation into the alleged land fraud. Potti was granted bail in Dwarapalaka and Kattilappalli cases linked to Sabarimala gold robbery on Feb 5. Bail was granted after prosecution failed to file a chargesheet within 90 days in connection with the case.
