Court grants statutory bail to Murari Babu in Sabarimala gold theft case

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The court has granted bail to former administrative officer Murari Babu, remanded in the Sabarimala gold theft case. The Kollam Vigilance Court granted bail with strict conditions in the door frames and Dwarapalaka cases. Murari Babu, who was arrested on October 22 in the case, was granted statutory bail after 90 days of not filing the charge sheet. Murari Babu was arrested on the same day in the door frames and Dwarapalaka cases. Murari Babu is the first accused to be released on bail in the gold theft case.

The court had earlier granted statutory bail to the first accused in the case, Unnikrishnan Potty in the Dwarapalaka case. However, Potty is still in remand as he was not granted bail in the door frames case.

Meantime, the Supreme Court rejected the bail plea of former Travancore Devaswom board president N Vasu in the gold theft case within minutes. Vasu was holding the important post of Devaswom Commissioner during the period of the gold theft. The court asked why the gold frames were being plated with the metal again. This is the second time in three weeks that a bench of Justices Dipankar Dutta and Satish Chandra Sharma criticizing the Sabarimala gold theft case. On January 5th, the court had criticized that even God is not being spared. The stand was made clear by rejecting the plea filed by former Devaswom Board member K P Sankaradas to remove the high court's adverse remarks.

The lawyer convinced that Vasu has been in jail for more than 72 days. He is above 75. His health condition should be considered. He is not involved in the conspiracy. He has cooperated with the SIT's investigation. Evidence collection has been completed. He was not the Thiruvabharanam Commissioner. Therefore, the lawyer argued that he had no connection with the gold plating. The Supreme Court rejected all these arguments.