Kerala Court Allows Bail for Sabarimala Gold Case Accused, Unnikrishnan Still Held in Idol Theft Case

A Kerala court on Wednesday granted bail to Bengaluru-based businessman Unnikrishnan Potty , the prime accused in the high-profile case concerning the loss of gold from the Sreekovil (sanctum sanctorum) door frames of the Lord Ayyappa shrine at Sabarimala .

The court’s decision came after Potty argued that the Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the case had not filed a chargesheet within the statutory 90-day period , as mandated under the law. While bail has been granted in the Sreekovil door frames case , Potty remains in judicial custody due to his arrest in a separate case involving the loss of gold from the Dwarapalaka (guardian deity) idols at the temple.

So far, the SIT has arrested 12 individuals , including Potty and two former presidents of the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) , in connection with the two gold loss cases. The detailed court order , specifying the conditions for Potty’s bail , is yet to be made public.

The Sabarimala temple gold loss incidents, which have shocked devotees and the public alike, have prompted intensified investigations by the SIT , which was constituted specifically to probe the misappropriation and theft of temple assets . Authorities are reportedly reviewing temple security protocols , including surveillance, inventory management, and access controls , to prevent such incidents in the future.

Legal experts noted that while granting bail does not absolve an accused, it reflects the judicial scrutiny over procedural lapses , particularly regarding delays in filing chargesheets. The cases continue to unfold, and further arrests or charges are expected as the SIT completes its inquiry .

The incidents have sparked widespread public interest and debate over temple security and accountability. The Travancore Devaswom Board has stated that it is cooperating fully with the SIT and is committed to strengthening monitoring systems at all its temples to ensure the safety of valuable assets .

The Kerala vigilance court’s decision marks a significant development in one of the most closely watched temple gold theft investigations in recent years. Potty’s legal team has welcomed the bail, while authorities have reiterated that investigations into both cases are ongoing .