THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Kerala High Court has denied bail to three individuals implicated in the Sabarimala gold theft case, a decision announced by Justice A Badharudeen on Wednesday. The accused include A Padmakumar, the former President of the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) and senior Communist Party of India (Marxist) leader, along with B Murari Babu, a former TDB administrative officer, and Karnataka-based jeweller Roddam Pandurangaiah Naga Govardhan.

This case revolves around the alleged misappropriation of nearly four kilograms of gold that adorned the Dwarapalaka idols and gold-clad door frames at the Sabarimala temple. These temple valuables were reportedly lighter upon return to the temple following purportedly sanctioned repair works, escalating the controversy surrounding the temple’s property management. Padmakumar has been accused of playing a pivotal role in facilitating the gold’s misappropriation through conspiracy, particularly by misclassifying valuable items during a TDB meeting in 2019, which enabled the prime accused, Unnikrishnan Potti, access to the gold.

Potti, allegedly the mastermind behind the theft, had organized the repair work under questionable circumstances, which resulted in the disappearance of the gold. The police assert that the help of officials like Padmakumar enabled Potti to manipulate the system under the guise of sponsorship.

In court, senior advocate P Vijayabhanu, representing Padmakumar and Govardhan, argued that the accusations were not criminal in nature but rather administrative violations of the Devaswom Manual. Govardhan's only involvement, he stated, was financial, linked to the restoration and donations to the temple. Furthermore, the defense claimed that the Special Investigation Team (SIT) had forcibly seized a significant amount of gold from Govardhan’s premises during a raid.

Despite arguments highlighting the cooperative nature of the accused during investigations, the State vehemently opposed their bail requests, emphasizing the gravity of the charges and the need for continued oversight.

The ruling not only reflects the High Court's stance on the matter but also raises broader implications regarding governance and accountability in managing temple properties in Kerala.