Sabarimala ghee sale case accused seeks pre-arrest bail

Kochi: Jithusooraj S K of Chathannoor in Kollam, who was a part-time santhi at Sabarimala during the last Mandala-Makaravilakku festival season and is the 31st accused in a vigilance case alleging misappropriation in the sale of ‘aadiya sishtam ghee' at Sabarimala, has approached high court seeking anticipatory bail in the case.The bench of Justice A Badharudeen sought instructions from the state govt on the petition and adjourned the matter to Feb 24. According to prosecution, during the festival season, certain accused persons misappropriated ‘ghee nivedhyam' offered by devotees, thereby causing a loss of Rs 22.56 lakh to Travancore Devaswom Board.However, the petitioner claimed that he was totally innocent and had no involvement in the alleged crime. He alleged that, without any prima facie inquiry or role-specific investigation, the vigilance authorities mechanically arrayed all the part-time santhis, including him, as accused. Of the 33 accused, several had themselves raised complaints regarding the alleged misappropriation. The petitioner also claimed that he had no control or supervisory authority over the procurement, storage, accounting or distribution of ‘ghee nivedhyam'.