Former Travancore Devaswom Board President Granted Bail in Sabarimala Gold Theft Case

Kerala, Feb 11 : In a key development in the ongoing Sabarimala gold theft investigation, the Kollam Vigilance Court on Wednesday granted bail to N. Vasu, the 75 year old former president of the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB), after the 90-day statutory remand period expired without the prosecution filing a chargesheet.

Vasu, arrested on November 11, 2025, is the third accused in the high profile case involving the alleged misappropriation of gold from the doorframes of Sabarimala Lord Ayyappa temple’s sanctum sanctorum. The Special Investigation Team (SIT) has maintained that administrative lapses and procedural shortcomings during temple renovations contributed to the disappearance of the valuable gold-clad materials.

The bail comes amid scrutiny over delays in the investigation. Several other accused, including former Devaswom Board officials like D. Sudheesh Kumar, have already been released on similar grounds due to the SIT’s inability to submit a formal chargesheet within the legally mandated period.

While the bail provides temporary relief to Vasu, the case continues to draw judicial and public attention. The Kerala High Court recently highlighted the complexity of the probe, emphasizing the need for scientific and thorough investigation rather than adhering to rigid timelines.

The probe has also expanded beyond the SIT, with the Enforcement Directorate (ED) investigating alleged financial irregularities, including possible money-laundering linked to the missing temple gold. Summonses have been issued to key figures for questioning as part of the ED’s inquiry.

The Sabarimala gold theft case, involving several kilograms of sacred temple gold, remains a focal point of legal, administrative, and political debate in Kerala. With multiple accused securing bail and investigations