Sabarimala Gold Theft: Kerala High Court Grants Interim Protection From Arrest To Former Devaswom Board Official

The Kerala High Court on Wednesday (November 26) orally directed not to arrest S. Sreekumar, the former Administrative Officer of the Travancore Devaswom Board, who is arraigned as the 6th accused in the Sabarimala gold theft case.

Justice A. Badharudeen was considering the anticipatory bail plea of Sreekumar, who is accused of the offences under Section 120B, 403, 406, 409 and 467 r/w Section 34 of the Indian Penal Code.

The case pertains to alleged irregularities in the entrustment and handling of gold-cladded Dwarapalakas and Peedam at the Sabarimala Temple. A Special Investigation Team (SIT) ordered by the Devaswom Bench is investigating the case.

It was also directed that a thorough investigation be carried out into the larger conspiracy behind the misappropriation and to identify the Devaswom Board officials involved. Thereafter, many former TDB officials had been arraigned in the crime, including its former Secretary, S. Jayasree, who has also been granted interim protection from arrest.

Earlier, the case was posted before another Bench and it was posted before the present bench after the public prosecutor informed that the penal provisions under the Prevention of Corruption Act has also been incorporated against the ex-TDB official.

When the case came up for consideration today, as requested by the Additional Director General of Prosecution, the case was adjourned to Friday (November 28). The interim protection against arrest is granted till then.

In his plea, Sreekumar has stated that the decision to remove gold-plated copper plates from the Dwarapalaka idols and to re-plate the gold-plated copper mouldings were taken prior to his taking charge. He has also submitted that the other preparatory acts like drafting the mahazars, arranging for removal and refixation of moulding covering Dwarapalaka idols were already prepared by his predecessor, Murrari Babu.

According to him, he had no role or authority in deciding the removal, re-plating, custody or refixation of the mouldings nor any participation in handling the valuables and he had no knowledge of whether the mouldings were gold or copper and has only acted in good faith, strictly following the instructions of his superiors.

The petition is moved by Advocates Renjith B. Mararar, Gokul Babu S., M. Anil Prasad, Keshavraj Nair, Gaadha Suresh, Viswanath Jayan, Aswin S., and Swetha Pandalay H.

Case No: Bail Appl. 13782/2025

Case Title: S. Sreekumar v. State of Kerala and Anr.