NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court of India has granted anticipatory bail to S. Jayashree, the former secretary of the Travancore Devaswom Board, in connection with the ongoing Sabarimala gold theft case. She is the fourth accused named in the case and, so far, the only one to receive anticipatory bail from the apex court.
A Bench comprising Justice Dipankar Datta and Justice Satish Chandra Sharma heard Jayashree’s plea on February 20, 2026. The court noted that she had cooperated with the ongoing investigation and complied with earlier directions issued by the Supreme Court. Her cooperation included appearing before the investigating officer and providing the required specimen signature and handwriting samples, which were previously pending.
Taking these developments into account, the Bench held that anticipatory bail was justified. The court also pointed out that Jayashree is a woman and therefore entitled to the statutory protections available under Section 480 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Suraksha Sanhita, 2023.
Senior Advocate P.B. Suresh Kumar, representing Jayashree, argued that she had acted on board decisions and had no direct involvement in the alleged misappropriation of gold. He noted that the Travancore Devaswom Board manages roughly 2,800 temples and that Jayashree was never posted at the Sabarimala shrine itself. She said she had only issued an order in accordance with a board resolution and had not taken independent action.
The Supreme Court’s bail order includes specific conditions. Jayashree must not influence witnesses or interfere with any person familiar with the facts of the case. She is also required to cooperate with the investigation and appear before the investigating officers whenever required.
The court made it clear that the anticipatory bail order does not amount to a decision on the merits of the case. It is solely a procedural protection pending further investigation and potential charges.
The Sabarimala gold theft case concerns allegations of misappropriation and illegal removal of gold plating from sacred artefacts at the Sabarimala Sri Ayyappa Temple in Kerala. The Special Investigation Team (SIT) and the Enforcement Directorate (ED) have been probing the case, questioning several key accused persons, including former temple officials.
In recent weeks, investigative agencies have also been summoning other accused, including the temple’s head priest (tantri) and former Travancore Devaswom Board president, as part of efforts to trace the alleged diversion of temple assets and establish financial links in the case. The investigation remains ongoing, and further legal proceedings are expected as the probe progresses and evidence is gathered.