Two Additional Accused Granted Statutory Bail in Sabarimala Gold Theft Case
Synopsis
In a significant development in the Sabarimala gold theft case, the trial court at Kollam has granted statutory bail to two more accused, raising the total number of individuals released to ten. This highlights ongoing procedural delays in a high-profile investigation involving temple gold.
Key Takeaways
Two more accused granted bail in Sabarimala gold theft case.
Prosecution failed to file chargesheet in time, resulting in statutory bail.
Number of accused released on bail increased to ten.
Concerns raised over procedural lapses in the investigation.
Bhandari and Govardhan's roles highlight ongoing issues in the case.
Kollam, March 19 (NationPress) In the highly publicized Sabarimala gold theft case, the trial court in Kollam granted statutory bail to two additional accused, Pankaj Bhandari and Govardhan, on Thursday. This decision came after the prosecution failed to submit a chargesheet within the legally required timeframe.
The Kollam Vigilance Court approved their release, noting that the mandatory remand period of 90 days had lapsed without any advancement in filing the final report. Consequently, the total number of individuals granted bail in this case has now reached ten.
Importantly, eight of these individuals have been released on statutory grounds, which highlights significant procedural oversights that have hindered the prosecution’s progress in this prominent investigation involving alleged misappropriation of temple gold.
Govardhan, a jewellery trader from Bellary, Karnataka, had previously appealed to the Supreme Court of India after his bail request was denied by the Kerala High Court. However, the apex court chose not to intervene at that time. In his petition, Govardhan asserted that he is a devoted follower of Lord Ayyappa and claimed no participation in the alleged theft.
He was apprehended by the Special Investigation Team (SIT) on allegations of purchasing stolen gold. In his testimony to investigators, Govardhan acknowledged making payments totaling Rs 1.5 crore in various installments to the main accused, Unnikrishnan Potti. He argued that these payments were made under the impression they were related to Sabarimala and that he had no knowledge of any illicit activity.
Govardhan also presented documentation to validate his financial transactions, maintaining that the gold acquisition was executed in good faith based on personal connections. However, the SIT holds a different perspective, contending that Govardhan was fully aware that the gold belonged to the Sabarimala temple and was part of Devaswom property.
Investigators suggest that he knowingly facilitated the diversion, thereby contributing to the fraud. Meanwhile, Bhandari, the Chief Executive Officer of Chennai-based Smart Creations, is accused of misappropriating gold from the Sabarimala temple.
The delay in chargesheet filing raises broader concerns regarding the investigation's pace and effectiveness.
Point of View
The ongoing challenges in the prosecution of the Sabarimala gold theft case reveal significant procedural deficiencies. The release of multiple accused on statutory grounds raises critical questions about the judicial process and the efficacy of the investigation, which is pivotal in addressing accountability in such high-profile cases.
NationPress
8 May 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What led to the granting of bail to the accused?
The bail was granted because the prosecution failed to file a chargesheet within the legally required 90-day period.
How many accused have received bail in this case?
A total of ten accused individuals have been granted bail in the Sabarimala gold theft case.
What is Govardhan's connection to the case?
Govardhan is a jewellery trader accused of purchasing stolen gold and has maintained that he was unaware of any fraudulent activities.
What are the implications of the delayed chargesheet?
The delay raises concerns about the effectiveness and pace of the ongoing investigation into the gold theft.
Who is Pankaj Bhandari?
Pankaj Bhandari is the Chief Executive Officer of Smart Creations, accused of misappropriating gold from the Sabarimala temple.
