Sabarimala gold theft case: SIT submits report to High Court

KOCHI: The Special Investigation Team (SIT) has submitted a report to the High Court in the Sabarimala gold theft case. The report was filed ahead of the High Court's hearing on the case scheduled for today.

The SIT also submitted the results of the scientific tests conducted on the gold plates, including those used on the dwarapalaka sculptures. The report is expected to clarify whether the plates installed by the first accused Unnikrishnan Potty and his team were genuine. The tests found that more gold was missing from the plates than initially estimated.

The SIT has found that the 'Vaji Vahanam' was handed over in violation of a 2021 Devaswom Board order. However, documents had surfaced the other day claiming that the transfer was done with the knowledge of the advocate commissioner and the High Court.

Meanwhile, the Akhila Kerala Tantri Pracharak Sabha has filed a petition in the High Court seeking a CBI investigation into the case, alleging that the SIT probe is ineffective. The petition claims that the state police, which functions under the state government, is trying to protect political leaders, and therefore, the investigation should be handed over to the CBI.

The petition also alleges that linking the recovery of the 'Vaji Vahanam' from the Tantri’s house to the present case is an attempt to divert the investigation. It argues that the probe into the gold theft should be expanded to Tamil Nadu and Karnataka and claims that the case has international links. Citing these reasons, the Tantri organisation has demanded a CBI investigation.