Kerala High Court grants interim protection to TDB ex-officer
In a significant development, the Kerala High Court on Wednesday granted interim protection from arrest to former Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) administrative officer S Sreekumar, who is accused in the alleged theft of gold from the revered Sabarimala temple. The crime pertains to gold missing from the temple’s copper plate coverings on the Dwarapalaka idols and the door frames. Sreekumar, who is the sixth accused in the case, had approached the High Court seeking protection from arrest, which was duly granted by the court.
The case against Sreekumar and other accused persons is being investigated by the Crime Branch of the Kerala Police. The investigation was initiated after it was discovered that gold was missing from the copper plate coverings on the Dwarapalaka idols and the door frames of the Sabarimala temple. The temple, located in the Pathanamthitta district of Kerala, is one of the most revered and popular pilgrimage centers in India, attracting millions of devotees every year.
The alleged theft of gold from the temple has sent shockwaves across the state, with many questioning the security and management of the temple. The Travancore Devaswom Board, which is responsible for the administration of the temple, has been under scrutiny for its handling of the case. The Board has been accused of being lax in its security arrangements, which allegedly enabled the theft to take place.
Sreekumar, who was an administrative officer with the TDB, has been accused of being involved in the theft. The other accused persons in the case are also former employees of the TDB or contractors who had been engaged by the Board for various works. The investigation has revealed that the accused persons had allegedly conspired to steal the gold from the temple, using their positions and access to the temple premises to carry out the crime.
The Kerala High Court’s decision to grant interim protection to Sreekumar is significant, as it indicates that the court is willing to intervene in the case to ensure that the accused person is not arrested and harassed by the investigating agency. The court’s order is likely to be seen as a setback for the investigating agency, which had been seeking to arrest Sreekumar and other accused persons in the case.
The case has also sparked a political controversy, with opposition parties in Kerala accusing the state government of being lax in its handling of the case. The opposition parties have alleged that the government has been trying to protect the accused persons, who are said to have connections with the ruling party. The government, on its part, has denied these allegations, saying that it is committed to ensuring that the guilty are punished and that the temple’s properties are protected.
The Sabarimala temple is not only a revered pilgrimage center but also a significant cultural and historical landmark. The temple is dedicated to Lord Ayyappa, a Hindu deity who is worshipped by millions of devotees across the country. The temple’s copper plate coverings on the Dwarapalaka idols and the door frames are said to be hundreds of years old and are considered to be of great cultural and historical significance.
The alleged theft of gold from the temple has raised concerns about the security and management of the temple. The TDB, which is responsible for the administration of the temple, has been accused of being lax in its security arrangements. The Board has been criticized for not having adequate security measures in place, which allegedly enabled the theft to take place.
The Kerala High Court’s decision to grant interim protection to Sreekumar is likely to be seen as a significant development in the case. The court’s order is likely to be challenged by the investigating agency, which may appeal against the order in a higher court. The case is likely to be closely watched by the public, as it involves the revered Sabarimala temple and allegations of theft and corruption.
In conclusion, the Kerala High Court’s decision to grant interim protection to Sreekumar is a significant development in the case. The court’s order is likely to be seen as a setback for the investigating agency, which had been seeking to arrest Sreekumar and other accused persons in the case. The case has sparked a political controversy, with opposition parties accusing the state government of being lax in its handling of the case. The Sabarimala temple is a revered pilgrimage center and a significant cultural and historical landmark, and the alleged theft of gold from the temple has raised concerns about the security and management of the temple.
News Source: https://newskarnataka.com/s/oq2gxp
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