Kerala Court Rejects Anticipatory Bail for Ex-TDB Secretary in Sabarimala Gold Probe
The decision clears the way for investigators pursuing court-ordered forensic checks at Sabarimala to question the former official over alleged misappropriation of temple gold.
Overview
- The Pathanamthitta District and Principal Sessions Court dismissed S. Jayasree’s anticipatory bail plea, exposing the former Travancore Devaswom Board secretary to arrest.
- The Special Investigation Team said it will interrogate Jayasree soon following the court’s order.
- Investigators allege that as TDB secretary in 2019 she signed an order handing the Dwarapalaka plates to prime accused Unnikrishnan Potti while describing them as copper despite knowing they were gold-clad.
- The SIT has begun scientific verification at the Sabarimala Sannidhanam and has sought the Thantri’s permission to test door-guardian sculptures and gold-plated panels inside the shrine.
- Five arrests have been made so far, including former TDB president N. Vasu and prime accused Unnikrishnan Potti, under a High Court-directed probe into losses from the Dwarapalaka plates and the Sreekovil doorframe.