Sabarimala gold theft: Kerala HC gives SIT until June 29 to wrap up probe

KOCHI: The Kerala High Court has cracked down on delays in the Sabarimala gold fraud case, issuing a strict ultimatum to the Special Investigation Team (SIT) to conclude its probe by June 29.

A Devaswom Bench comprising Justices V. Raja Vijayaraghavan and K.V. Jayakumar categorically stated that no further extensions would be entertained. The bench has ordered the SIT to present a definitive timeline for filing the chargesheet before the trial court during the next hearing.

The case centres on the controversial relocation of the sacred Dwarapalaka (guardian deity) sculptures from the Sabarimala Sannidhanam to Chennai in 2025, for gold-plating work. The High Court has demanded a comprehensive report detailing the exact role of the accused and pinpointing specific procedural lapses by temple officials.

In a progress report submitted on Thursday, Investigating Officer and Superintendent of Police (SP) S. Sasidharan outlined the current trajectory of the investigation:

• Chennai connection: Current efforts are heavily focused on uncovering the financial and logistical transactions that facilitated the transport of the idols to Chennai last year.
• Scientific evidence: The SIT's findings are heavily backed by scientific analysis reports obtained from the National Metallurgical Laboratory.
• Evidence of Conspiracy: Call records and digital communication between the accused, paired with administrative decisions made by the Travancore Devaswom Board at the time, strongly indicate a premeditated conspiracy.

The SIT also informed the court that the scanner is now on top-ranking officials within the Devaswom Board to determine if they actively colluded with the perpetrators to sanction the unauthorised movement of the deities.