Kollam: In a significant development in the long-running 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 statutory 90-day remand period expired without the prosecution filing a chargesheet.
N. Vasu, who was arrested on November 11, 2025, was the third accused named in the high-profile case linked to the alleged misappropriation of gold from the doorframes of the Sabarimala Lord Ayyappa temple’s sanctum sanctorum.
The Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the case has argued that administrative lapses and procedural failures allowed the removal and mishandling of valuable gold-clad materials during renovation work, leading to their disappearance.
The statutory bail granted to Vasu comes amid widespread scrutiny over delays in the investigation process. Several accused individuals, including former Devaswom Board officials like D. Sudheesh Kumar, have already been released on similar grounds as the SIT has been unable to file formal charges within the legally mandated period.
While the bail marks a key procedural turn, the case continues to attract intense public and judicial attention. The Kerala High Court this week expressed confidence in the SIT’s progress, noting the investigation’s complexity and the importance of scientific and meticulous examination over strict timelines. The court’s remarks underscored the challenges in assembling conclusive evidence in the multifaceted probe.
At the same time, the investigation has widened, with agencies beyond the SIT becoming involved. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has recently intensified its probe into alleged financial irregularities connected to the case, including issuing summonses to notable figures for questioning under money-laundering laws.
The Sabarimala gold theft case, which involves the disappearance of several kilograms of gold originally part of the temple’s sacred fittings, has remained a focal point of political debate and legal proceedings in Kerala.
With multiple accused securing bail and investigations still underway, further hearings and developments are expected in the coming weeks.
