Sabarimala gold theft case: Ex-TDB president Vasu approaches SC for bail

Thiruvananthapuram: Former Travancore Devaswom Board president N Vasu has approached the Supreme Court seeking bail in the Sabarimala gold theft case, citing age and health-related concerns.

In his plea, Vasu said he has fully cooperated with the investigation. He argued that continued custody is creating an issue, particularly in view of his advancing age and medical condition. In the bail plea, he stated that he had acted strictly in accordance with decisions taken collectively by the Devaswom Board and merely implemented resolutions approved by the body.

Vasu, a former Devaswom Commissioner, was arrested by the Special Investigation Team (SIT) in the Sabarimala gold theft case. The arrest relates to allegations that during his tenure as Commissioner, he failed to take action when gold from the Sabarimala sanctum sanctorum, handed over to sponsor Unnikrishnan Potti, remained unaccounted for.

Investigators said Vasu was serving as Devaswom Board Commissioner at the time of the alleged theft in 2019. He was named as the third accused after confirming that, as Commissioner, he had issued instructions on March 19, 2019, directing that the gold plates from the panel be marked as copper. Vasu stepped down as Commissioner on March 31, 2019, and later assumed charge as president of the Travancore Devaswom Board.