Sabarimala Gold Theft Case: Kerala High Court Grants Interim Protection From Arrest To Former Secretary Of Travancore Devaswom Board

The Kerala High Court has granted interim protection from arrest to the former Secretary of the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB), who stands arrayed as the fourth accused in Sabarimala Gold theft case.Dr. Justice Kauser Edappagath passed the interim order. The case pertains to alleged irregularities in the entrustment and handling of gold-cladded Dwarapalakas and Peedam at the Sabarimala Temple. She along with nine others are accused of the offences under Section 403 [Dishonest misappropriation of property], 406 [Punishment for criminal breach of trust], 409 [Criminal breach of trust by public servant. or by banker, merchant or agent], 466 [Forgery of record of Court or of public register, etc.], 467 [Forgery of valuable security, will, etc.] and 34 [Acts done by several persons in furtherance of common intention] IPC in the FIR before the Crime Branch.The petitioner has previously approached the High for anticipatory bail, which was rejected with liberty to approach the Sessions Court by relying on the observations made by the Supreme Court in Mohammed Rasal C. v. State of Kerala. Subsequently, the petitioner approached the Sessions Court, Pathanamthitta, which rejected the anticipatory bail application noting that custodial interrogation could be necessary. Pursuant to this, the petitioner approached the High Court again. The petitioner in the anticipatory bail application asserts that she is “totally innocent” and has been wrongly implicated. She submits that she has been implicated solely for issuing an order that reflected the Board's decision to hand over the idols.The petitioner has enclosed medical records stating that she is undergoing treatment at a hospital in Ernakulam and argued that custodial interrogation could seriously endanger her health and that she is medically incapable of travelling long distances or withstanding incarceration.The application states that the petitioner had informed the investigation team of her willingness to cooperate when contacted on October 31, 2025, but explained her inability to travel due to medical constraints.The matter is posted on 18 November for further consideration. Case Title: S Jayasree v State of Kerala and Ors. Case No: Bail Appl. 13835/ 2025Counsel for Petitioner: R RanjanieClick Here To Read/ Download Interim Order

Sabarimala Gold Theft Case: Kerala High Court Grants Interim Protection From Arrest To Former Secretary Of Travancore Devaswom Board

Anamika MJ

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