Sabarimala gold theft: Bellary-based jeweller moves Kerala HC seeking bail

The Kerala High Court has sought instructions from the State government on a bail petition moved by Roddam Govardhan, a Bellary-based jeweller, who was arraigned as an accused by the Special Investigation Team in the alleged misappropriation of gold from the Sabarimala temple. He was charged with misappropriating 474 gm of gold from the gold-plated copper coverings of the Dwarapalaka idols that had been taken to a private firm in Chennai for gold plating in 2019. He was arrested in this connection and charged with offences under the Indian Penal Code and the Prevention of Corruption Act. In his bail plea, the jeweller submitted that he accepted the gold at the instance of Unnikrishnan Potti, the first accused in the case. He added that he paid ₹14.97 lakh for this in 2019, including through demand drafts in favour of the Sabarimala Executive Officer, and that he further donated 184 gm of gold for gold plating the door frames of the Sreekovil. The matter has been posted for hearing on December 30. Published - December 23, 2025 08:30 pm IST

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