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Kochi, November 14 (IANS) The Kerala High Court on Friday granted bail to former Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) secretary S. Jayashree was granted interim protection from arrest, providing temporary relief while the Special Investigation Team (SIT) intensified action in the high-profile Sabarimala gold theft case.
The interim order issued by the single-judge bench will remain in force till Tuesday, when the case will be heard in detail.
Earlier this month, the high court had rejected his first anticipatory bail plea on procedural grounds, noting that he had filed the petition directly without moving the sessions court or citing extraordinary circumstances.
However, the High Court’s intervention on Friday came just a day after the trial court rejected Jayashree’s anticipatory bail plea, paving the way for her possible arrest.
The Sessions Court found substance in the prosecution’s stand that custodial interrogation was necessary given the seriousness of the allegations and the need to trace the chain of responsibility in the suspected misappropriation of temple gold and valuables.
In her latest plea before the High Court, Jayashree said she had no role in the alleged gold smuggling, adding that her duties as TDB secretary and later Thiruvabharanam commissioner were purely administrative.
He further said that he is undergoing treatment for serious health issues and has sought protection from arrest on medical grounds.
However, the prosecution argues that Jayashree colluded to facilitate the misappropriation of the gold, alleging that he issued orders to hand over the items from Srikovil in violation of board decisions – an action investigators believe enabled the systematic diversion of valuable items.
The SIT has so far registered two FIRs and arrested five people, including former TDB president N. Vasu, a serving officer, two former officers and alleged sponsor Unnikrishnan Potti.
With the scope of the investigation expanding, the interim protection granted to Jayashree is going to become an important issue when the High Court reviews the case next week.
–IANS
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