2 days ago
Prasanth Gets Medical Bail in Sabarimala Gold-Loss Case
A court in Kollam has granted P S Prasanth bail because he has a serious medical problem.
He was moved from jail to a hospital after suffering a brain hemorrhage.
Prasanth is accused in a case about gold allegedly lost from special guardian-deity idols at Sabarimala temple.
He was arrested by a team investigating the case.
His lawyers said he needed advanced medical treatment.
The court examined his medical records before granting bail.
Investigators are examining decisions about repairing and gold-plating the idols.
The investigation team is expected to file charge sheets in two cases soon.
Kollam Vigilance Court Judge Mohit C S granted former Travancore Devaswom Board president P S Prasanth bail on medical grounds.
Prasanth was shifted from jail to a Thiruvananthapuram hospital after suffering a brain hemorrhage.
The Special Investigation Team arrested Prasanth on July 23; he is the 17th accused in the case.
The case concerns the alleged loss of gold from Dwarapalaka idols at Sabarimala temple.
The SIT alleges that decisions involving 2019 maintenance work may have concealed the quantity and quality of gold allegedly lost.
- Who
- Former Travancore Devaswom Board president P S Prasanth, the Special Investigation Team, and other accused in the case.
- What
- A Kollam Vigilance Court granted Prasanth bail on medical grounds in the alleged Sabarimala gold-loss case.
- Where
- The bail order was issued by the Vigilance Court in Kollam, Kerala; Prasanth was receiving treatment in Thiruvananthapuram.
- When
- The bail was granted on September 3; Prasanth was arrested on July 23. The articles also refer to events in 2024 and 2025.
- Why
- The court granted bail after considering medical records and his stated need for advanced treatment following a brain hemorrhage.
SIT Allegations
Prasanth’s Bail Request
Reason for the maintenance decision
SIT Allegations
The SIT alleges that the decision to entrust gold-plating work to Smart Creations was intended to prevent details about alleged gold loss during 2019 maintenance from coming to light.
Prasanth’s Bail Request
Prasanth’s counsel sought bail after a previous petition was dismissed, arguing that he required advanced medical treatment.
Gold-plating method
SIT Allegations
The SIT report says Smart Creations lacked the technology to recover and reuse the existing gold coating, while the Thiruvabharanam Commissioner had recommended using the traditional method.
Prasanth’s Bail Request
The court’s decision addressed Prasanth’s medical condition and was based on his medical records; it did not resolve the underlying allegations.
Status of the allegations
SIT Allegations
Investigators are examining the quantity of gold allegedly lost, the quality of the plating, and the amount of gold used during the work.
Prasanth’s Bail Request
The articles report the allegations from the SIT remand report but do not state that Prasanth has been convicted or that the claims have been proven in court.
Key facts
- Accused
- P S Prasanth, identified as the 17th accused
- Court
- Kollam Vigilance Court
- Judge
- Mohit C S
- Arrest date
- July 23
- Medical condition
- Brain hemorrhage; Prasanth was shifted from jail to a hospital
- Investigation agency
- Special Investigation Team constituted following a Kerala High Court direction
- Case subject
- Alleged gold loss from the Dwarapalaka idols at Sabarimala
- Next step
- The SIT is expected to file charge sheets in two cases
Sources
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