In a significant development in the ongoing Sabarimala Ayyappa Temple gold theft controversy, prime accused Unnikrishnan Potti has been granted statutory bail in a second case, paving the way for his release from jail. The Vigilance Court in Kollam approved his bail application on Thursday in the case concerning the alleged pilferage of gold from the temple's door frames. This decision came after the mandatory 90-day deadline for filing the charge sheet expired without the Special Investigation Team (SIT) submitting the necessary documents.
Legal Proceedings and Multiple Bail Grants
Unnikrishnan Potti, who was arrested in October 2025, had previously obtained statutory bail in the separate Dwarapalaka case related to the theft. Arguments in his latest bail plea concluded on Wednesday, leading to the court's favorable ruling. The SIT has yet to file charge sheets in either of these cases, raising questions about the pace and direction of the investigation.
Potti stands accused of misappropriating gold from various sacred elements of the Sabarimala temple, including the Dwarapalaka idols, the sanctum sanctorum, pillars, and door frames. Three other individuals implicated in the scandal—former administrative officer Murari Babu, former executive officer Sudeesh Kumar, and former administrative officer S Sreekumar—have also been granted bail, adding to the growing list of accused persons who are now free.
Political Fallout and Opposition Outcry
The bail grants have ignited a political firestorm in Kerala, with the state's Leader of the Opposition, VD Satheesan, launching a scathing attack on the government. Satheesan has repeatedly asserted that the investigation into the alleged Sabarimala gold heist is "moving dangerously off course." He alleges that the ruling administration is actively shielding the accused from justice, thereby undermining the integrity of the probe.
In a dramatic display of dissent, United Democratic Front (UDF) MLAs staged a walkout from the Kerala Legislative Assembly on Tuesday. They demanded the immediate resignation of State Devaswom Minister V N Vasavan, holding him accountable for the mishandling of the gold theft controversy. The protest extended beyond the assembly halls, with opposition members voicing their grievances both inside and outside the legislative premises.
Allegations of Government Interference
VD Satheesan has made serious allegations against Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, accusing him of "knowingly allowing illegal intervention in the investigation." According to the LoP, this interference is the primary reason why the accused, including those previously denied bail by the High Court and Supreme Court, have now been released on statutory bail. Satheesan claims that the government fears that a thorough investigation could lead to its collapse, prompting the Chief Minister's Office to obstruct the process.
"If the investigation reaches them, the government will collapse, and it is precisely with this fear that the Chief Minister's Office is interfering," Satheesan stated. He emphasized that the probe appears to be "at a dead end," with no active efforts to recover the looted ornaments or collect crucial evidence. The LoP lamented that the case is fading away without any meaningful investigation reaching its logical conclusion, leaving Kerala to witness one of its most shocking and shameful incidents without accountability.
Investigation Challenges and Procedural Hurdles
The SIT has intensified its efforts to secure prosecution sanctions against nine accused individuals in the case. Since the accused are employees of the Travancore Devaswom Board, obtaining sanctions from both the board and the State government is a mandatory procedural step. This requirement adds another layer of complexity to an already convoluted investigation, potentially delaying justice further.
As the political and legal battles continue, the Sabarimala gold theft case remains a focal point of public and media attention. The allegations of government interference, coupled with the slow progress of the SIT, have cast a shadow over the investigation's credibility. With key accused persons walking free and the opposition raising alarms, the path to justice appears fraught with obstacles, leaving many to wonder if the truth behind the temple gold theft will ever be fully uncovered.
