‘Didn’t make any recommendation, just forwarded letter’: Sabarimala gold scam accused Vasu in bail plea
His bail plea states that he had no role in the Board's subsequent decision and was not aware of any proceedings after his tenure ended.
His bail plea states that he had no role in the Board's subsequent decision and was not aware of any proceedings after his tenure ended.
His bail plea states that he had no role in the Board's subsequent decision and was not aware of any proceedings after his tenure ended.
Thiruvananthapuram: Former Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) president N Vasu, arrested in connection with the Sabarimala gold scam, claimed in a bail petition submitted to a Vigilance Court that he merely forwarded an official request and had no role in the Board’s decision that later came under scrutiny.
In his plea, Vasu stated that the allegation against him arises solely from an official act performed during his tenure as Devaswom Commissioner. He said the Executive Officer of Sabarimala sent a letter on February 16, 2019, seeking the Board’s permission to entrust the gold-plating work on the sanctum sanctorum door frame to Unnikrishnan Potti, who had offered to do it. The letter moved through the Devaswom Commissionerate, with the section clerk and senior officials, including the Assistant Commissioner and Deputy Commissioner, recording their approvals before placing it before him.
Vasu said he merely marked a “Yes” on the file and forwarded it to the Board Secretary with a note requesting that the matter be discussed at the Board level and an appropriate order be issued. He stressed that he neither recommended nor instructed any action and only placed the request before the Board for a proper decision. The forwarding note read: “In the above matter, it is requested that the issue be discussed at the Board level and an appropriate order be issued.”
The petitioner submitted that he demitted office on March 14, 2019 and was not aware of any proceedings that followed. The TDB granted a sanction on March 20, 2019, after his tenure had ended. “So the petitioner has nothing to do with the decision of the Travancore Devaswom Board,” the plea stated. He maintained that his role was confined to forwarding the Executive Officer’s request through the proper channel and attaching all relevant documents.
Vasu also highlighted that the mahazar related to the dismantling of the gold claddings was prepared on May 18, 2019. He joined the Devaswom Board as its president only on November 14, 2019. Therefore, he argued, he was not holding any post in the Travancore Devaswom Board at the time of the mahazar and had no role in that stage of the process.
He further submitted that he is undergoing treatment for multiple chronic conditions, including cardiovascular, respiratory, urological and other health issues. He remains under continuous medical supervision and requires regular follow-ups with specialists for ongoing management and treatment. Adv Sunil C S represented Vasu in this case.
The Crime Branch recorded his arrest after questioning him at its Eenchakkal office. Vasu, who served as Devaswom Commissioner from 1 February 2018 to 14 March 2019, has been named the third accused in the case, with Unnikrishnan Potti listed as the first accused.
According to the special investigation team (SIT) probing the theft, officials, including Vasu, committed serious administrative lapses. The SIT stated that the gold slabs were first recorded as copper in a letter submitted by Vasu to the Board for approval. The Board approved the letter on 26 February 2019 and later decided to hand over the slabs to Potti on 19 March. The slabs were removed based on an order issued by Devaswom Secretary S Jayashree. The investigation report noted that irresponsible administrative actions and failures led to the loss of the gold.