The Sabarimala temple gold theft case saw a legal twist as the Kollam Vigilance Court granted statutory bail to prime accused Unnikrishnan Potti. This relates to the alleged theft of ‘dwarapalaka (guardians)’ gold plates. The bail was given due to the Special Investigation Team’s failure to file a charge sheet within the required 90-day period after his arrest.
Unnikrishnan Potti remains in custody for the ‘kattilapala (panel)’ gold theft case, as bail has not been obtained for that. The accused cited the SIT’s delay in completing the investigation and submitting the final report within the set timeframe. The Vigilance Court ruled in his favor, granting bail based on statutory grounds rather than the case’s merits.
The development may increase scrutiny on the SIT’s handling of the investigation into alleged irregularities in gold handling at the Sabarimala temple. The case has sparked political controversy, with the Opposition questioning the probe’s pace and transparency. Failure to file a charge sheet on time could lead to similar relief for other accused due to procedural delays.
The SIT is expected to expedite the probe, especially in the ‘kattilapala’ case, to show investigative credibility. The grant of bail to the prime accused adds complexity to a case that extends beyond the courtroom. This occurred as the Enforcement Directorate officials raided 21 places across three states in connection with the alleged money laundering aspect of the gold heist being probed by the SIT.
