Kerala Court Denies Bail to Former Devaswom Board Member in Sabarimala Gold Loss Case
A Kollam vigilance court has delivered a significant ruling by rejecting the bail applications of former Travancore Devaswom Board member KP Sankara Das in two separate cases concerning the alleged disappearance of gold from the Sabarimala Temple. The court's decision comes amid ongoing investigations into the temple's valuable assets.
Court Rejects Medical Grounds for Bail
Vigilance Court Judge Mohit CS dismissed the bail pleas after carefully examining medical documentation submitted by Sankara Das's legal team. The former board member had sought release on health grounds, but the court found these arguments insufficient to grant bail at this stage of the proceedings.
Advocate G Mohanraj, representing the accused, confirmed to media that the court had rejected their bail request based on medical considerations. This development represents a setback for the defense strategy in the high-profile case.
Dual Cases and Accused Status
Sankara Das faces charges in two distinct but related investigations:
- He is listed as the 15th accused in the case involving suspected gold loss from the Dwarapalaka idols
- He stands as the 11th accused in the separate case concerning missing gold from the Sreekovil doorframes
The former board member served on the Travancore Devaswom Board during 2019 when gold ornaments were allegedly permitted to be transferred to main accused Unnikrishnan Potty for replating work. This period corresponds with the timeline under investigation by authorities.
Arrest and Health Complications
Sankara Das was initially hospitalized due to health issues before facing arrest by the Special Investigation Team (SIT) on January 14, 2026. His medical condition had prompted the bail application, but the court determined that these circumstances did not warrant his release at this juncture.
Broader Case Developments
The Sabarimala gold loss investigation continues to unfold with several parallel developments:
- Seven accused individuals have already received bail, including prime suspect Unnikrishnan Potty
- Two additional figures—former board member N Vijayakumar and Ballari-based jeweler Govardhan Roddam—have filed their own bail applications
- The SIT has informed the Kerala High Court of its intention to submit the chargesheet before March 31
This case represents one of the most significant temple asset investigations in recent Kerala history, with multiple layers of alleged financial irregularities involving sacred temple properties. The court's firm stance on bail indicates the seriousness with which authorities are treating these allegations against former temple administration officials.
