KOLLAM, KERALA (Wednesday, March 4, 2026) — A vigilance court in Kollam has granted statutory bail to former Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) president A. Padmakumar in a second case involving the alleged misappropriation of gold from the Sabarimala Ayyappa temple. With this order, Padmakumar is expected to be released from judicial custody this evening.
The Legal Context: Why “Statutory” Bail?
The court granted statutory bail (also known as “default bail”) because the Special Investigation Team (SIT) failed to file a chargesheet within the mandatory 90-day period following his arrest in the second case.
- Case 1 (Sreekovil Door Frames): Padmakumar was previously granted statutory bail on February 20, 2026, for the alleged loss of gold from the door frames of the Sreekovil (sanctum sanctorum).
- Case 2 (Dwarapalaka Idols): Today’s bail pertains to the alleged theft of gold-plated overlays from the Dwarapalaka (guardian deity) sculptures.
- Release Status: As he has now secured bail in both cases registered against him by the SIT, there are no further legal barriers to his release.
Details of the Gold Misappropriation Scandal
The investigation centers on the 2019 maintenance and gold-plating work at the shrine. The controversy originated from a 1998 donation by industrialist Vijay Mallya, who gifted 30.3 kg of gold and 1,900 kg of copper for temple cladding.
| Case Focus | Allegations |
| Dwarapalaka Idols | Theft of gilded overlays and manipulation of TDB documents to misidentify gold as copper. |
| Sreekovil Door Frames | Misappropriation of gold during the refinishing of the Kattilappadi (threshold). |
| Estimated Total Loss | Approximately 4.54 kg of gold (roughly 567 sovereigns) is reportedly missing. |
Current Investigation Status
Padmakumar, a former CPI(M) MLA, is the eighth accused to be released on bail in this matter.
- The Prime Accused: Unnikrishnan Potti, a priest-turned-businessman who handled the gold-plating work, was also granted bail recently.
- SIT Timeline: The SIT informed the Kerala High Court earlier this week that it intends to file the final chargesheet in both cases by March 31, 2026.
- ED Involvement: Concurrent with the SIT probe, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) has launched a money-laundering investigation. Today, the temple’s Tantri, Kandararu Rajeevaru, appeared before the ED in Kochi for questioning as a witness regarding the “proceeds of crime.”
Sources
- Press Trust of India (PTI): “Sabarimala gold loss case: Vigilance court grants statutory bail to former TDB prez Padmakumar” (March 4, 2026)
- The Hindu: “Sabarimala gold case: Kerala court grants statutory bail to A. Padmakumar” (March 4, 2026)
- The New Indian Express: “Sabarimala gold theft case: Former TDB president A Padmakumar gets bail” (March 4, 2026)
- ANI News: “Sabarimala gold theft case: Court grants bail to ex-TDB President A Padmakumar” (March 4, 2026)
- Onmanorama: “Sabarimala gold theft case: Tantri Kandararu Rajeevaru appears before ED” (March 4, 2026)
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