The Kerala High Court has denied anticipatory bail to S. Sreekumar, former administrative officer of Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) and also S. Jayasree, former secretary of the board, in the case related to the alleged embezzlement of gold from the Sabarimala temple.
While Mr. Sreekumar was indicted as the sixth accused, Ms. Jayasree was the fourth accused in the case registered by the crime branch in this connection. The pair had previously been granted interim protection from arrest. The case is now being investigated by a Special Investigation Team (SIT) headed by S. Sasidharan, Superintendent of Police.
‘serious allegations’
The court said it was shocked by the events and noted that a perusal of the prosecution records showed that the allegations were serious and staggering as the “misappropriation” took place at a holy place – the Sabarimala Sannidhanam. Referring to businessman Unnikrishnan Potti, the court said he created an aura and enjoyed unfettered freedom to steal the deity’s gold with the consent of the accused persons.
While denying anticipatory bail to Ms. Jayasree, the court said that her role was prima facie well prepared and that she could not wriggle out of the prosecution. Refusing the same to Mr. Sreekumar, the court said that according to the manual of the Devaswom board, it is his duty to check embezzlement and malpractice in the institution and to keep the valuables of the board in custody. He signed a mahazar stating that the 12 plates of Dwarapalaka are made of copper, though they were covered with gold. So both of them do not deserve bail. They should surrender before the investigating officer and cooperate with the investigating officer, the court added, going on to lift the preliminary injunction restraining their arrest.
Published – 04 Dec 2025 20:21 IST
