Kerala High Court rejects bail for ex-TDB officials in Sabarimala gold misappropriation case.
Kochi: The Kerala High Court has refused anticipatory bail to two former Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) officials accused of involvement in alleged gold misappropriation during the gold plating of artefacts at the Lord Ayyappa shrine in Sabarimala, warning that granting relief would undermine the investigation.
Why the court denied bail
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Justice A Badharudeen dismissed the pleas of former TDB administrative officer S Sreekumar and former Board secretary S Jayasree, ruling that allegations against them were prima facie established.
The court said that granting pre-arrest bail would make the probe into the loss of gold “meaningless” and risk collapsing the entire investigation. It expressed shock that such misappropriation occurred in a sacred site and noted the possible involvement of “some big guns”.
What the investigation revealed
Referring to prosecution records, the court said prime accused Unnikrishnan Potty “enjoyed unbridled freedom to devour the valuable gold of the holy deity”, an act that would not have been possible without the involvement of powerful individuals connected to Sabarimala’s administration and the TDB.
It observed that the Dwarapalaka plates and other artefacts were originally gold-clad, and there was no need to plate them again. The conspirators allegedly recorded them as copper plates requiring gold plating so that the original gold could be siphoned off.
Role of the former officials
The court said both Sreekumar and Jayasree were fully aware that the plates were gold-clad but signed documents incorrectly describing them as copper. This, it said, pointed to a conspiracy of “widest magnitude” involving higher officials beyond those currently arraigned.
It added that the Board’s decision to describe the artefacts as copper showed “deceitful intention” and unlawful enrichment at the cost of the TDB and Lord Ayyappa.
Why Jayasree’s plea was rejected
The court noted that had Jayasree not been part of the conspiracy, she should have told the Board that the plates were originally gold-clad. Instead, she issued an order within two days—against the Board’s own decision—allowing the plates to be handed over to Potty for gold plating.
Her medical plea, citing a kidney transplant, was also rejected as the Special Investigation Team (SIT) was prepared to provide medical support whenever required.
Why Sreekumar’s plea was rejected
The court held that Sreekumar also knew the plates were gold-clad but still signed a mahazar describing them as copper, attracting corruption charges.
It added that releasing the former officials on anticipatory bail could lead to witness tampering, destruction of evidence, and interference with the probe.
Next steps in the case
The High Court directed both accused to surrender before the investigating officer and cooperate with the ongoing probe. It also ordered that the investigation be widened to identify other higher-ups or “big guns” connected to Potty who “had control, connection and constant contact” with him.
The SIT, appointed by the court, is investigating the loss of gold from gold-clad Dwarapalaka plates and Sreekovil door frames. So far, six people have been arrested, including prime accused Unnikrishnan Potty and former TDB presidents N Vasu and A Padmakumar.
Published: 04 Dec 2025, 09:14 pm IST
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