Kerala HC flags 'serious stagnation' in Sabarimala gold theft probe
Kerala HC flags 'serious stagnation' in Sabarimala gold theft probe
Kerala High Court criticizes delays in the SIT inquiry into the Sabarimala gold theft, urging renewed action and accountability as two suspects are questioned.
The Kerala High Court on Friday said there was ‘serious stagnation’ in the Special Investigation Team (SIT) probe into the alleged misappropriation of gold from Sabarimala since December 5. The court directed the investigating officer to address the delay and to pursue investigation against all erring officers without any discrimination. The order, which permitted the first accused Unnikrishnan Potti to take door frames and other items for gold cladding, and described the same as copper-plated, was signed by Travancore Devaswom Board officials. The court’s concern highlights a sense of urgency in a case that has drawn widespread public and political attention.
It was noted by the court that two board officials, Vijayakumar and Sankardas, were not arrested, a point that the judges described as surprising and indicative of the investigation’s slow pace after December 5. The judges emphasized that all responsible parties must face scrutiny, and that no one should be shielded from accountability.
The court’s directive aims to reinvigorate the probe, ensuring that procedures are followed promptly and that any lapses are corrected. The emphasis on swift action reflects the judiciary’s insistence on transparency and due process in a case that involves sacred assets and public trust.
Separately, SIT custody has included a Bengaluru-based jeweller and the owner of a metalworks factory in Chennai, both of whom are being questioned in relation to the case. These detentions illustrate ongoing investigative activity as authorities pursue leads across different locations.
In related developments, bail pleas of three former Travancore Devaswom Board officials—Murari Babu, N. Vasu, and K.S. Baiju—were dismissed, underscoring the seriousness with which the court views alleged misappropriation within the board. The combined actions signal a concerted effort to bring all those connected to the case under scrutiny and to ensure accountability at all levels.
