Thiruvananthapuram: Former Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) president and Sabarimala gold heist case accused P S Prasanth got bail on Thursday.Kollam Vigilance Court granted bail on Prasanth’s second petition citing health problems. It did not go into the merits of the case and based its decision entirely on his deteriorating health condition.Prasanth had been admitted to Govt Medical College Hospital in Thiruvananthapuram after developing physical problems while in judicial custody. He was shifted to the hospital urgently following bleeding in the head and is currently undergoing specialised treatment. He was not produced before the court in person as he is undergoing treatment.His remand had been extended until Sept 15. The defence argued that continuing his detention in jail could further worsen his health. The court accepted the contention.The vigilance court had rejected Prasanth’s first bail petition, in which he argued that there was no evidence of a conspiracy. Prasanth and former TDB member A Ajikumar were arrested by the special investigation team on July 23 in connection with the gold theft case. Prasanth is the 17th accused in the case relating to the Dwarapalaka idol panels.Ajikumar, who also cited health problems, was earlier granted bail by the vigilance court while Prasanth remained in custody. According to the investigation, TDB, headed by Prasanth in 2025, handed over gold-clad panels to Smart Creations, a firm in Chennai, allegedly as part of an attempt to cover up the theft of gold at Sabarimala in 2019.The investigating team has alleged that a larger conspiracy was behind the transfer of the gold panels. The case, involving the alleged theft of gold offered by devotees at the temple, has triggered a major controversy in the state.
