Archive · 7 Jan 2026
SIT reveals larger gold misappropriation plan at Sabarimala
The Special Investigation Team (SIT) told the Kerala High Court that they found a bigger plan to steal gold from the Sabarimala temple.
They said that some people, including the former president of the Travancore Devaswom Board and a jeweller, planned to take gold from different parts of the temple.
The SIT also found that these people met secretly to hide their crimes.
The court rejected the bail plea of the former president, A Padmakumar, on January 7th.
The next hearing is on January 8th.
So far, 10 people have been arrested in this case.
SIT revealed a larger plan to misappropriate gold from various artefacts of the Sabarimala temple.
Accused include former TDB president A Padmakumar and jeweller Roddam Pandurangaiah Naga Govardhan.
Investigation found serious official misconduct and administrative lapses by Devaswom officials.
SIT claimed that the accused met secretly in Bengaluru to conceal their crimes.
Kollam Vigilance Court rejected bail plea of Padmakumar on January 7, 2024.
- Who
- Special Investigation Team (SIT), A Padmakumar, Roddam Pandurangaiah Naga Govardhan, Unnikrishnan Potty, Pankaj Bhandari
- What
- Investigation into gold misappropriation from Sabarimala temple artefacts
- When
- January 6, 2024 (disclosure), December 19, 2023 (arrests), January 7, 2024 (bail rejection)
- Where
- Sabarimala, Kerala, India
- Why
- To uncover a larger conspiracy involving the misappropriation of gold from temple artefacts
Prosecution
Defense
Bail Plea
Prosecution
Opposed bail, citing sufficient evidence against Padmakumar.
Defense
Requested bail for Padmakumar.
- Accused
- A Padmakumar, Roddam Pandurangaiah Naga Govardhan, Unnikrishnan Potty, Pankaj Bhandari
- Investigation Body
- Special Investigation Team (SIT)
- Location
- Sabarimala, Kerala
- Date of Disclosure
- January 6, 2024
- Number of Arrests
- 10
- Next Court Hearing
- January 8, 2024
- Bail Decision
- Rejected by Kollam Vigilance Court on January 7, 2024
Sources
Probe revealed larger plan to misappropriate gold from other Sabarimala artefacts: SIT to HC
Sabarimala gold theft case: Court rejects Padmakumar’s bail plea; Satheesan accuses CPI(M) of shielding accused
Kerala vigilance court rejects Padmakumar’s bail plea in Dwarapalaka idol gold loss case
Sabarimala gold loot: Court rejects former TDB president Padmakumar’s bail plea
