Kollam: Unnikrishnan Potty, the prime accused in the Sabarimala gold theft case, has been granted bail in a second case, clearing the way for his release from jail later on Thursday. The Vigilance Court in Kollam granted him statutory bail in the case related to the alleged pilferage of gold from the temple’s door frames, as 90 days had elapsed since his arrest without the filing of a charge sheet. Potty was arrested in October 2025.

Arguments on the bail plea were completed on Wednesday. He had earlier secured statutory bail in the Dwarapalaka case as well. The Special Investigation Team (SIT) is yet to file a charge sheet in either case.

He is also accused of misappropriating gold from the Dwarapalaka idols of the sanctum sanctorum, pillars and door frames of the Sabarimala temple. Three other accused in the case—former administrative officer Murari Babu, former executive officer Sudeesh Kumar, and former administrative officer S Sreekumar—have also been granted bail.

Meanwhile, the SIT has stepped up efforts to obtain prosecution sanctions against the nine accused in the case. Since the accused are government employees attached to the Travancore Devaswom Board, sanction is required from both the board and the state government. Sources said the probe team is now focused on collating evidence ahead of filing the charge sheet.