Former Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) president N. Vasu, in his bail plea in the Kerala High Court, said there was no documentary evidence to show that the door frames of the Sabarimala sanctum sanctorum were gold-plated.
Mr. Vasu was indicted as the third accused in the case related to the alleged misappropriation of gold from the Sabarimala temple, which was being investigated by the Special Investigation Team (SIT). His bail plea was rejected by the investigating court commissioner and special judge, Kollam, after which he approached the High Court.
Justice A. Badharudeen adjourned the case for hearing on Tuesday and directed the government to present evidence in the matter. According to the remand report, Mr. Vasu described the temple’s jamb as covered with copper plates instead of gilded copper plates, after which businessman Unnikrishnan Potti was tasked with “repairing”.
Mr. Vasu refuted the allegations and claimed that he did nothing intentionally other than passing on the “message” he received from his subordinate officers to the board. He added that he never recommended that the decision be made in a particular way.
Published – 15 Dec 2025 21:43 IST
