KOLLAM (2 March 2026) — The Kollam Vigilance Court has dismissed the bail petitions of KP Sankara Das, a former member of the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB), in connection with two high-profile cases involving the misappropriation of gold from the Sabarimala Ayyappa Temple. Judge Mohit CS rejected the pleas on Monday after reviewing medical reports, stating that the health grounds cited by the defense did not warrant release at this stage of the investigation.
Allegations of Sacramental Misappropriation
The cases involve the alleged loss of sacred gold-clad artefacts that were removed from the shrine for replating work in 2019. Sankara Das, a senior leader of the CPI, is a key figure in the Special Investigation Team (SIT) probe.
- Case 1 (Dwarapalaka Idols): Sankara Das is listed as the 15th accused regarding the suspected loss of gold from the guardian deity idols.
- Case 2 (Sreekovil Doorframes): He is the 11th accused in the case involving missing gold from the sanctum sanctorum door panels.
The SIT alleges that during his tenure on the board, gold ornaments and plates were handed over to the prime accused, Unnikrishnan Potty, for replating. However, subsequent audits and scientific analysis revealed significant “missing weight” and inconsistencies in the records, which originally mislabelled gold-clad panels as “copper plates.”
Arrest and Legal Proceedings
Sankara Das was arrested on 14 January 2026 while undergoing treatment at a private hospital in Thiruvananthapuram. His arrest followed sharp criticism from the Kerala High Court regarding delays in the investigation.
- Medical Review: The court had previously ordered a medical board to assess whether his treatment could continue in jail or a government hospital.
- Bail Arguments: His counsel, Advocate G Mohanraj, argued for bail citing deteriorating health, but the Vigilance Court upheld the prosecution’s need for continued custody.
Wider Investigation and Chargesheet Timeline
The Sabarimala gold heist has evolved into a massive probe involving 12 arrests so far, including:
- Unnikrishnan Potty (Prime Accused): The jeweller entrusted with the work (currently out on bail in one case).
- Kandararu Rajeevaru (Chief Priest/Tantri): Arrested in January 2026 for allegedly recommending the replating despite ritualistic violations.
- Enforcement Directorate (ED): The ED has registered a separate money-laundering case, conducting raids across Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Karnataka to trace the “proceeds of crime.”
The SIT has informed the Kerala High Court that it intends to file the final chargesheet in both cases before 31 March 2026.
Sources
- Press Trust of India (PTI): “Former TDB member’s bail plea rejected in Sabarimala gold loss cases” (2 March 2026)
- The Times of India: “Sabarimala gold theft case: Kerala court rejects bail plea of former TDB member” (2 March 2026)
- Ommcom News: “ED Tightens Noose in Sabarimala Gold Heist; High Court Puts Former TDB Member Under Lens” (21 January 2026)
- The Hindu: “Former TDB official gets statutory bail in Sabarimala gold loss case” (27 February 2026)
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