Sabarimala gold theft case: Former TDB chief PS Prasanth to remain in jail as court rejects bail
Kollam (Kerala): A Vigilance court in Kollam rejected the bail application of former Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) president P S Prasanth, while granting bail to former board member A Ajikumar in the Sabarimala temple gold loss case.
Presiding Judge Mohit C S denied relief to Prasanth, but extended bail to Ajikumar after taking his medical condition into account. Both individuals, listed as the 17th and 18th accused in the case involving the alleged disappearance of gold from the temple's Dwarapalaka (guardian deity) sculptures, were taken into custody by the Special Investigation Team (SIT) on July 23. Prasanth served as the TDB head from 2023 to 2025 following a move from the Congress party to align with the CPM.
According to the SIT’s remand submission, Prasanth, Ajikumar and another board member G Sundaresan sanctioned a decision in 2024 to restore the Dwarapalaka paneling. The work was postponed that year due to then Mandala-Makaravilakku season.
The report states that Thiruvabharanam Commissioner Rejilal took over on January 24, 2025 and audited the files on Prasanth's directions. Rejilal found an order dated November 1, 2024, approving electroplating work for the panels. A secondary order issued on November 6, 2024, removed the previous Thiruvabharanam Commissioner due to health reasons, assigning the job to a Devaswom clerk and smith, though no progress was made.
Rejilal, aware that the private firm Smart Creations lacked the technology to salvage and reuse the existing gold layer, sent reports to the TDB Secretary on July 30 and August 8, 2025, advocating for traditional methods. However, the SIT alleged that under Prasanth’s pressure, Rejilal issued a letter on August 25, 2025, agreeing to hand the panels over to Smart Creations.
Rejilal subsequently requested a high-level board discussion with the Devaswom Commissioner, Law Officer and Executive Officer to establish a timeline. Despite these recommendations, a board meeting chaired by Prasanth on September 2, 2025, finalised the contract with Smart Creations.
The SIT asserted that this choice violated a June 30, 2023 directive by the Sabarimala Special Commissioner requiring prior clearance from the High Court of Kerala before altering valuable temple assets. Investigating officers alleged the decision was intended to conceal details regarding gold lost during earlier 2019 maintenance work, including its overall quantity, purity and usage.
Prasanth is the third former TDB president arrested in connection with the twin gold loss investigations. Formed under the direction of the Kerala High Court, the SIT is expected to submit its charge sheets and provide a progress report to the court next month.
PTI