Kollam: In a key development in the Sabarimala gold theft row, the Kollam Vigilance Court on Wednesday rejected the bail application of A Padmakumar, an accused and former Travancore Devaswom Board president, in the Dwarapalaka sculpture case.

Padmakumar had sought urgent bail, stating that the investigation is almost complete and that he has been in custody for several months. However, the court denied relief after the prosecution argued that he played a central role in the case.

This is not the first setback for Padmakumar. Earlier, the Vigilance Court had rejected his bail plea in the door panel case. His subsequent appeal before the Kerala High Court was also dismissed. The latest order means he will continue in judicial custody.

The Vigilance Court also remanded the first accused, Unnikrishnan Potti, and the second accused and former administrative officer, Murari Babu, to judicial custody for another 14 days.

Meanwhile, Potti has filed a fresh bail application in both the Dwarapalaka sculpture case and the door panel case. The court is scheduled to consider the plea on January 14.