In a significant development in the ongoing Sabarimala gold scam case, two former members of the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) have approached the courts seeking anticipatory bail. This move comes after the Kerala High Court made sharp observations about the investigation's scope.
Former Board Members Move for Bail
K P Shankardas and N Vijayakumar, who served on the TDB during the period under scrutiny, submitted their anticipatory bail applications in the Kollam vigilance court. Their legal action follows the High Court's recent criticism of the Special Investigation Team (SIT) for not extending the probe to include them. The court had pointedly questioned why these two board members from 2019 were excluded from the investigation and why no action had been initiated against them.
The apprehension of arrest became a real possibility for Shankardas and Vijayakumar after the High Court's remarks. The court made these observations while rejecting the bail pleas of other accused individuals in the case. Crucially, the HC emphasized that all board members bear equal responsibility for the decisions taken during their tenure.
High Court's Scrutiny and Collective Responsibility
The judicial scrutiny intensified when the High Court took note of a statement given by former TDB president Padmakumar before the SIT. In his statement, Padmakumar indicated that all board members shared collective responsibility, including in the controversial transfer of gold sheets to Unnikrishnan Potti. This assertion formed a key part of the court's reasoning in questioning the investigation's focus.
The court's stance has put significant pressure on the investigation agency, highlighting a potential gap in the probe. The legal principle of collective responsibility of board members for official decisions is now a central theme in this high-profile case.
Legal Battle Reaches the Supreme Court
In a parallel legal maneuver, former member K P Shankardas has taken the fight to the Supreme Court. He has filed a petition challenging the remarks made against him by the Kerala High Court. Shankardas argues that these critical observations were made without affording him an opportunity to present his side of the story.
Through his Supreme Court petition, Shankardas has requested the removal of the comments made against him by the High Court. He contends that the judicial remarks were premature and prejudicial, given that he was not formally heard in the matter. The Supreme Court is slated to consider this petition after the winter break.
The Sabarimala gold scam case continues to unfold with these new legal layers, raising important questions about accountability and the thoroughness of criminal investigations involving public trust bodies like the Devaswom Board.
