Ex-TDB Member K P Sankaradas Granted Statutory Bail in Sabarimala Gold Cases

Overview

• Sankaradas received statutory bail Monday in Kollam after 90 days passed without charge sheets, leaving all previously arrested accused out on bail.
• He is listed as the 14th accused in the case tied to the Dwarapalaka idols and the 11th accused in the case involving the Sreekovil door frames.
• Investigators say the suspected loss traces to 2019, when Sabarimala’s gold artefacts were sent to Chennai for plating under the Travancore Devaswom Board’s watch.
• The Kerala High Court formed the Special Investigation Team, extended the deadline for charge sheets, and called the probe crucial as forensic work continues.
• Arrests in the cases have spanned serving and former TDB staff, gold dealers, and political figures, with Unnikrishnan Potti named as the prime accused, raising pressure for tighter control of temple valuables.