Sabarimala Gold Theft: Jeweller Roddam Govardhan Moves Kerala High Court Seeking Bail, Claims SIT Forcibly Took His Gold

Roddam Pandurangaiah Naga Govardhan, one of the accused persons in the high-profile Sabarimala gold theft case, has moved the Kerala High Court seeking bail.He is arrayed in both the crimes registered by the Crime Branch regarding the misappropriation of gold from the dwarapalaka idols and the doorframes/lintels of the Sreekovil in Sabarimala.The prosecution allegation was that the accused persons conspired together to extract around 409 grams of gold and converted the same into gold bars. The specific allegation against Govardhan is that despite having clear knowledge that the gold belonged to the Travancore Devaswom Board, he and the other accused concealed this fact and misappropriated the gold.He is accused of the offences under Sections 403 [Dishonest misappropriation of property], 406 [Criminal breach of trust], 409 [Criminal breach of trust by public servant], 466 [Forgery of record of Court or of public register] and 467 [Forgery of valuable security] r/w Section 34 [Common intention] of the Indian Penal Code along with the offence under Section 13(1)(a) of the Prevention of Corruption (Amendment) Act, 2018 in the FIRs before the Crime Branch.In his bail plea, Govardhan has stated that he had no role in the misappropriation and that in June 2019, he had donated 184 grams of gold (valued at approximately 9 lakhs) to gold-plate the frame.According to him, he is a native of Ballari in Karnataka, a devout worshipper of Lord Ayyappa and owns a jewellery shop, namely Roddam Jewels. He has stated that he came in contact with the prime accused Unnikrishnan Potty in 2007 when the latter assisted him to complete a booking and thereafter, Potty became his primary point of contact for all Sabarimala related darshans and poojas.It is stated that later on, Potty contacted him, informing that the Sree Kovil Main Door was proposed to be replaced, and asked if he was interested in sponsoring the same. Govardhan has stated that he donated 321.6 grams of gold for the same in 2018. Later, he sponsored the gold plating of door frame, which were all done by Smart Creations.Further, it is stated that Govardhan was informed that 474.97 grams of gold extracted from the gold cladding were remaining at Smart Creations, was requested to collect this and give the money to TDB. He has stated that the full amount was returned to the TDB in 2019 itself. It is further stated that he made donations to the tune of around 80 lakh rupees from 2009 to 2019.An allegation is made in the bail plea that despite Govardhan's full cooperation since the inception of the investigation, the Special Investigation Team coerced him to give gold weighing 474.970 grams."It is humbly submitted that there has been no pecuniary loss caused to the TDB as the entire gold obtained from Smart Creations was already given back in full to the TDB in the year 2019 itself. Despite having given the gold back to TDB, when the SIT came to Bellary to the Petitioner's shop and house, on 24.10.2025, they forcefully took 474.970 grams of 24k imported gold from the petitioner, which is valued at Rs. 59,40,449.79/- . Therefore, it is the petitioner who has suffered unlawful pecuniary loss due to unjust threats imposed on him by the SIT for their pecuniary advantage and gain, to save their face before the Court and media," further states the plea.He was arrested on December 19 (Friday) and has been in custody since then. Now, he has moved the High Court seeking bail in both the cases.On Tuesday (December 23), Justice Muralee Krishna S. adjourned the cases for the public prosecutor to get instructions. It is posted on December 30 for further consideration.The bail applications are moved by Senior Advocate Vijaya Bhanu and Advocates Thomas Anakkallunkal, Anupa Anna Jose Kandoth, Jayaraman S., Dhanya Sunny and Ann Milka George.Case Nos: Bail Appl. 14761/2025 and Bail Appl. 14762/2025Case Title: Roddam Pandurangaiah Naga Govardhan v. State of Kerala

Sabarimala Gold Theft: Jeweller Roddam Govardhan Moves Kerala High Court Seeking Bail, Claims SIT Forcibly Took His Gold

K. Salma Jennath

Tags