KOLLAM: Unnikrishnan Potty, the first accused in the Kattilappally case connected to the Sabarimala gold theft, has been granted bail by the Kollam Vigilance Court. The court granted ‘Statutory Bail’ as the investigation team failed to submit the charge sheet even after 90 days since his arrest.
Reports indicate that Potty is expected to be released from jail by this evening. The bail has been granted under strict conditions.
Key Bail Conditions:
- He must not enter the Pathanamthitta district.
- He must surrender his passport to the court.
- He must not attempt to influence witnesses.
- He must appear before investigating officers whenever required.
Other co-accused in the case, including Murari Babu, S. Sreekumar, and Sudheesh Kumar, had already received bail earlier. While criticism has arisen regarding the investigation team’s failure to file the charge sheet on time, the High Court had previously observed that granting statutory bail would not hinder the ongoing probe, noting that the investigation was moving in the right direction.
Meanwhile, there are indications that the Enforcement Directorate (ED) may question Unnikrishnan Potty in the coming days following his release.
