Thiruvananthapuram: The Kollam court has extended the remand period of Unnikrishnan Potti, prime accused in the Sabarimala gold theft case, along with former Devaswom Board administrative officer Murari Babu, for an additional 14 days. Both will remain in judicial custody until December 11.

On Thursday, the Kollam Vigilance Court rejected Murari Babu’s bail pleas in two related cases, the alleged gold theft of the door frames of the Sreekovil (sanctum sanctorum) and the case involving missing gold-clad plates of the Dwarapalaka (guardian deity) idols and of the temple.

During the bail hearing, the defence argued that the order to take door frames for maintenance had been issued before Murari Babu assumed office and that he had no role in the matter. The court, however, dismissed the claim, noting that the mahasar documenting the takeover of door frames was prepared while he was in charge.