SC rejects jewelry owner Govardhan’s bail plea in Sabarimala gold theft case

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court has rejected the bail plea of jeweler Govardhan in the Sabarimala gold theft case. The court's action was on the grounds that the investigation in the case is progressing and that it cannot intervene at this time. A bench led by Justice Dipankar Datta rejected the plea. The court also directed that the bail plea be filed after the charge sheet is submitted.

Govardhan approached the Supreme Court against the high court's verdict denying bail. Govardhan filed the bail plea stating that he was fully cooperating with the investigation and that his custody was no longer required. He had argued in his bail plea that he was an Ayyappa devotee and has no role in the gold theft.

Govardhan, a jeweler from Bellary in Karnataka, was arrested by a special investigation team on charges of buying the gold stolen from Sabarimala. Govardhan's statement is that he bought the gold after paying Rs 1.5 crore to Unnikrishnan Potty, the main accused in the case, several times. He did not knowingly participate in the fraud. He gave the money after saying that it was for the purpose of Sabarimala. He had also told the investigation team that he bought the gold as a friend. He also provided evidence of the money paid to the investigation team. However, the special investigation team found that Govardhan got involved in the fraud even after knowing that the gold belongs to Sabarimala and it was the property of the devaswom.