Sabarimala Gold Case: Former TDB President P S Prasanth Suffers Brain Haemorrhage

Former Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) president P. S. Prasanth, arrested in connection with the Sabarimala gold loss case, has been shifted from jail to a hospital after suffering a brain haemorrhage, officials said on Thursday.

Prasanth, who is the 17th accused in the case involving the alleged loss of gold from the Dwarapalaka (guardian deity) idols at the Sabarimala temple, was shifted to Thiruvananthapuram Medical College Hospital on Tuesday night. He was earlier lodged at the Thiruvananthapuram District Jail.

Officials of the Special Investigation Team (SIT) said Prasanth’s condition was stable and that he would remain under treatment until he fully recovers. As he is currently in judicial custody, the SIT will inform the Kollam Vigilance Court about his hospitalisation, officials said.

The SIT arrested Prasanth on July 23 following its investigation into the alleged disappearance of gold from artefacts associated with the Sabarimala temple. According to investigators, Prasanth had approved the transfer of gold artefacts to a firm in Chennai for replating in 2025.

The SIT has alleged that the transfer was aimed at concealing the loss of gold that occurred during replating work carried out in 2019 under a previous TDB board. The investigation is examining the circumstances surrounding the handling, transportation and replating of the temple artefacts.

The case has drawn significant attention in Kerala as investigators probe alleged irregularities in the management of Sabarimala’s valuable temple ornaments and artefacts.

Prasanth’s legal proceedings remain pending, with the Vigilance Court having dismissed his bail petition on August 22. His hospitalisation is not expected to alter his judicial custody status, and further decisions will depend on his medical condition and court proceedings.