Kerala Court Grants Bail to Former TDB President in Sabarimala Gold Theft Case

A vigilance court in Kollam granted statutory bail to former Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) president A. Padmakumar on March 4, 2026, in the case involving alleged misappropriation of gold from the Dwarapalaka idols at Sabarimala temple. Padmakumar, a former CPI(M) MLA, had previously secured bail in a related case concerning gold theft from the temple's door frames. Both cases are under investigation by a Special Investigation Team appointed by the Kerala High Court. He is the eighth accused to receive bail in these matters.