Kochi, June 13 -- Murari Babu, former administrative officer of the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) and accused in the high-profile Sabarimala gold theft case, passed away at a private hospital in Kochi.

Babu breathed his last on Friday. He was 54 and had been undergoing treatment for cancer for the past three months.

According to family sources, Murari Babu, a native of Changanassery in Kottayam district, breathed his last after his health condition deteriorated in recent weeks. His last rites are scheduled to be performed later in the day at his residence in Perunna.

Murari Babu had been under scrutiny in connection with the alleged theft of gold from the Dwarapalaka sculptures and the threshold panel situated in front of the sanctum...