Police Academy Assistant Director makes request: Sabarimala investigation team expanded

KOCHI: The High Court has directed the expansion of the team investigating the Sabarimala gold scam. Decision has been made to include Crime Branch SP Bijoy, Wayanad DySP SS Suresh Babu and KEPA DySP KK Sajeev in the team.

Thrissur Police Academy Assistant Director S Sasidharan, who is in charge of the investigation, appeared in person yesterday. He requested that the strength of the team be increased as he has other responsibilities.

The report submitted by Vigilance SP V Sunil Kumar was submitted to the Devaswom Board yesterday. The board should immediately forward it to the state police chief. The court also ordered the police chief to instruct ADGP H Venkatesh, who is supervising the investigation, to register the case. The police chief was made a party to the petition. It is the DGP who should provide all the necessary facilities for the investigation.

The court said that passing off gold plates as copper plates and removing and stealing gold without permission are prima facie serious offences under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.

Since there was also an irregularity regarding the lintels, all the documents should be prepared and sealed. It was also directed that a copy of this be placed in the safe custody of the High Court Registrar General. The amicus curiae informed that Justice KT Sankaran, who was appointed by the High Court to take stock of the valuables, will reach the Sannidhanam soon.

No parallel investigation by media

The media can continue to report court judgments, but they should not conduct parallel investigations. Inaccurate and sensational reporting will have adverse effects, the High Court said. The judiciary should give the verdict, not the media.

The media had sought permission to enter the sanctum sanctorum when Justice Sankaran arrived. The court upheld the denial.