Sabarimala Gold Misappropriation Case: Ex-TDB President Released on Statutory Bail

A vigilance court in Kerala’s Kollam on Wednesday granted statutory default bail to former Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) President and Commissioner N. Vasu, an accused in the Sabarimala gold misappropriation case, after finding that the Special Investigation Team (SIT) failed to file the chargesheet within the mandatory 90-day period prescribed under law.

The court observed that the failure to complete investigation and place the final report within the statutory timeline entitled the accused to default bail, irrespective of the gravity of the allegations.

The order was passed by Enquiry Commissioner and Special Judge Mohit C.S. of the Vigilance Court, Kollam, who allowed Vasu’s bail plea after recording that the prosecution had not complied with the requirement under Section 167(2) of the Code of Criminal Procedure.

Following the order, Vasu was released from judicial custody on Wednesday evening. He had been arrested in connection with the case on 11.11.2025, and had earlier been denied regular bail by the High Court.

The case relates to alleged large-scale misappropriation of gold from the Sreekovil (sanctum sanctorum) of the Sabarimala temple, including the gold-plated door frames and the gold coverings of the Dwarapalaka idols.

Vasu is arrayed as the third accused in the case and is alleged to have played a conspiratorial role by recommending repair works that allegedly facilitated the pilferage of gold from the temple premises.

According to the prosecution, the alleged misappropriation came to light after repair works were carried out on the gold-plated doors and structures of the Sreekovil under the sponsorship of one Unnikrishnan Potti.

Upon measurement after completion of the work, several kilograms of gold were allegedly found missing from the door frames and other fittings. Subsequent investigation led to the alleged recovery of a portion of the missing gold from the house of Potti’s sister.

The prosecution case is that Vasu, while holding senior positions in the Travancore Devaswom Board, conspired with other accused persons and abused his official position to facilitate the removal and misappropriation of gold under the guise of renovation and repair works.

It is alleged that recommendations made by him enabled unauthorised access and manipulation during the repair process, resulting in substantial loss of temple assets.

The prime accused in the case include Unnikrishnan Potti, former TDB administrative officer B. Murari Babu, and former TDB executive officer Sudheesh Kumar. All three were recently released on statutory default bail after the SIT failed to file chargesheets within the stipulated period.

Another accused, former administrative officer S. Sreekumar, was granted regular bail earlier.

Vasu has been booked for offences under multiple provisions of the Indian Penal Code, 1860, including Section 120B (criminal conspiracy), Section 403 (dishonest misappropriation of property), Sections 406 and 409 (criminal breach of trust), and Sections 466 and 467 (forgery). He has also been charged under Section 13(1)(a) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, which deals with criminal misconduct by a public servant.

The vigilance court, while granting bail, did not go into the merits of the allegations, limiting its consideration strictly to the statutory right of the accused to be released on default bail due to the prosecution’s failure to complete investigation within time.

The court noted that the right to default bail is an indefeasible right accruing to the accused once the statutory period expires, and cannot be defeated by the seriousness of the allegations alone.

The Sabarimala gold misappropriation case has attracted significant public attention due to the religious and cultural importance of the temple, which is one of the most prominent pilgrimage centres in the country.

The allegations of missing gold from the sanctum sanctorum triggered widespread concern, leading to judicial scrutiny of the investigation process.

An SIT was constituted to probe the matter pursuant to directions issued by the Kerala High Court, which has been monitoring the investigation.

Parallelly, the Enforcement Directorate is also conducting a money laundering investigation in connection with the case, examining whether the proceeds of the alleged misappropriation were laundered through financial channels.

Bench: Enquiry Commissioner and Special Judge Mohit C.S.

Date of Order: 11.11.2026