New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Thursday rejected the bail plea of former Travancore Devaswom Board president N Vasu in the Sabarimala gold theft case. The bench, headed by Justice Dipankar Dutta, reportedly questioned whether he was robbing the god after claiming to be a believer. The court also asked why gold panels were applied with gold again.

Senior advocate Shaji P Chaly, appearing for Vasu, told the court that his client, aged over 75, has been in jail for the past 77 days. He argued that Vasu was the Devaswom Commissioner and not the Thiruvabharanam Commissioner, and therefore had no role in the alleged gold plating at Sabarimala. Advocate Ann Mathew also represented Vasu.

The court refused to grant bail and advised Vasu to approach the lower courts for relief. Standing counsel C K Sasi appeared on behalf of the Kerala government.