Thiruvananthapuram, 05 Jan (H.S.): The Supreme Court of India on Monday dismissed a petition filed by former Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) member K. P. Sankaradas, seeking protection from arrest in connection with the alleged Sabarimala gold heist case. Refusing to intervene, the apex court made strong oral observations, remarking that “you did not even spare God,” underscoring the seriousness of the allegations.

A Bench comprising Justices Dipankar Datta and Satish Chandra Sharma heard the matter.

Sankaradas had approached the Supreme Court citing his advanced age and health-related issues, requesting that his arrest be stayed. He also sought the removal of certain observations made earlier by the Kerala High Court, contending that such remarks could adversely affect the neutrality of the ongoing investigation.

The Kerala High Court had earlier observed that the members of the Travancore Devaswom Board serving at the relevant time could not absolve themselves of responsibility in the alleged misappropriation of gold linked to the Sabarimala temple. Sankaradas argued before the Supreme Court that these observations were prejudicial and could influence the course of the probe.

However, the Supreme Court pointed out that the official minutes of the Travancore Devaswom Board from the concerned period bore Sankaradas’s signature, indicating his direct involvement in the Board’s decisions. The Bench observed that a person who had endorsed the proceedings could not subsequently seek extraordinary relief from the apex court on such grounds.

Declining to interfere, the Supreme Court dismissed the petition, stating that it was not inclined to grant any relief in the matter. At the same time, the Bench clarified that the petitioner was free to approach the Kerala High Court if he wished to seek the deletion or modification of the remarks made against him.

With the dismissal of the plea, there is no interim protection from arrest granted by the Supreme Court, allowing the investigation into the Sabarimala gold heist case to proceed without obstruction.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Arun Lakshman