Court grants bail to Unnikrishnan Potty, main accused in gold theft case, to be released by evening

KOLLAM: The Kollam Vigilance Court has granted bail to Unnikrishnan Potty, the main accused in the Sabarimala gold theft case. He was granted bail in the door frames case. He was granted statutory bail after the special investigation team failed to file a chargesheet within 90 days of his arrest. He was earlier granted statutory bail in the Dwarapalaka case.

He was granted bail with strict conditions such as not to enter Pathanamthitta, not to influence witnesses and should appear before the investigating officers as and when directed. The bail order is likely to be issued by afternoon and most probably he will be released by evening.

Unnikrishnan Potty is the fourth accused to be granted bail in the Sabarimala gold theft case. Former administrative officer Murari Babu and former executive officer Sudheesh Kumar were granted statutory bail. However, the court granted bail to former administrative officer S Sreekumar, who is in remand, citing lack of evidence.

Meantime, information emerged this morning that the Enforcement Directorate (ED) would issue summons for questioning Potty as soon as he gets bail. It is indicated that the ED will speed up the proceedings. He will be summoned to their headquarters in Kochi for questioning.