Kollam Vigilance Court to Deliver Verdict on Sabarimala Gold Heist Accused's Bail Plea
The Kollam vigilance court is scheduled to announce its decision on Thursday regarding the bail application of Unnikrishnan Potti, the primary accused in the high-profile Sabarimala gold heist case. Legal experts anticipate that Potti is likely to receive statutory bail in the second case as well, primarily due to significant delays in the submission of the chargesheet by investigators.
Background of the Bail Proceedings
The hearing on the bail plea in the dwarapalaka (gatekeeper) case concluded on Wednesday. Potti had previously secured bail in the related case involving the misappropriation of gold from the kattilapadi (door frame of the sanctum sanctorum). Following 90 days in custody, he approached the court seeking statutory bail in the dwarapalaka case. This development comes after the release of other accused individuals, including B Murari Babu, S Sreekumar, and D Sudheesh Kumar, all former officials with the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB).
Investigation Challenges and Delays
Investigators have cited delays in evidence collection as the primary reason for the holdup in filing the chargesheet, despite the probe being conducted under the supervision of the high court. A scientific examination conducted by experts from the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre confirmed that the panels were not replaced, leaving the exact quantity of missing gold as the only unresolved aspect of the case.
Currently, the special investigation team (SIT) is relying heavily on statements from the accused and information provided by the TDB, with limited scientific evidence available. Officials have expressed concerns that a lack of conclusive material evidence could significantly weaken the prosecution's case during the trial. Consequently, the SIT is continuing its efforts to gather additional evidence, which has contributed to the delay in finalizing the chargesheet.
Potential Implications for Other Accused
In a related development, CPM leader A Padmakumar, who was arrested on November 20, may also become eligible for statutory bail if the chargesheet is not filed by February 20. The SIT has expressed apprehension about potential setbacks in court if the chargesheet lacks strong supporting references. Investigators have also noted that the failure to recover the stolen items has so far weakened the case, enabling accused persons to seek bail.
Meanwhile, several other accused individuals, including former Thiruvabharanam commissioner K S Baiju, have approached the court seeking statutory bail. Additionally, it has been learned that the Enforcement Directorate (ED) is preparing to question Unnikrishnan Potti if he is released on bail and plans to issue a summons immediately.
Enforcement Directorate's Involvement
The ED questioned Murari Babu for several hours on Tuesday and released him after issuing a notice. The agency is probing his financial transactions since 2019. While Babu denied any financial dealings with Potti, the ED is expected to examine relevant documents and summon him again for further questioning as part of their ongoing investigation into the financial aspects of the case.
