The Kerala High Court on Wednesday dismissed the bail applications filed by former Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) president A Padmakumar and two others in connection with the high-profile Sabarimala gold loss cases.
Justice A Badharudeen rejected the pleas of Padmakumar, former TDB administrative officer B Murari Babu, and Karnataka-based jeweller Roddam Pandurangaiah Naga Govardhan. The court has not yet released the detailed order explaining the reasons for the rejection.
This marks a fresh setback for the accused, particularly B Murari Babu, whose earlier bail plea had also been turned down in December 2025. He had filed a renewed application in January this year.
The matter relates to the disappearance of gold from key structures at the revered Lord Ayyappa temple in Sabarimala — specifically from the Dwarapalaka (guardian deity) idols and the Sreekovil (sanctum sanctorum) door frames.
A Special Investigation Team (SIT), formed to probe the case, is investigating suspected corruption and misappropriation in the handling of temple assets. The SIT has so far arrested 12 individuals, including two former presidents of the TDB, which manages the administration of several prominent temples in Kerala, including Sabarimala.
The bail rejections come at a time when the SIT is actively pursuing leads in both the cases related to the gold loss. The arrests and custodial interrogations have intensified scrutiny over past procurement and renovation processes at the hill shrine.
Authorities are yet to confirm the total value of the missing gold, but the matter has triggered widespread public concern given the religious and cultural significance of the temple and its assets.
The court’s detailed reasoning for rejecting bail is expected to provide further insights into the nature of the allegations and the evidence gathered by investigators so far.
