Thiruvananthapuram: Kollam Vigilance Court on Friday granted bail to Murari Babu, former administrative officer of the Travancore Devaswom Board, in the Sabarimala gold theft case after 90 days of remand.

Murari Babu, first accused in the case, had filed bail petitions in two related cases concerning the Dwarapalaka idol and door panel at Sabarimala. The court granted statutory bail after the 90-day remand period expired, subject to strict conditions. He is the first accused in the Sabarimala gold theft case to be released from jail on bail.

Earlier, the first accused, Unnikrishnan Potti, had secured bail in the Dwarapalaka case, but continues in custody as 90 days have not been completed in the Kattilappali (door panel) case.

Meanwhile, the court extended the remand of another accused, Thantri Kandararu Rajeevaru, by 14 days. His bail plea is scheduled to be considered on January 28.

Former Travancore Devaswom Board President N Vasu had earlier suffered a setback in the case after the Supreme Court rejected his bail application.