Thiruvananthapuram, Feb. 19 -- The Kollam Vigilance Court on Wednesday granted conditional bail to Sabarimala 'thanthri' (chief priest) Kandararu Rajeevaru in the case of alleged misappropriation of gold from temple assets.

Rajeevaru is set to walk out of jail after spending 41 days in judicial remand. The court's granting of bail to the chief priest is seen as a setback for the special investigation team (SIT) probing the case.

The chief priest has been granted bail by the court on the condition that he appear before the SIT twice a week. He has been barred from entering Pathanamthitta district and cannot leave the state without permission from the vigilance court.

Rajeevaru has been arraigned as the 16th accused in the alleged theft ...