Sabarimala gold theft; Centre’s investigation stalled? ED fails to question key suspects

PATHANAMTHITTA: The Enforcement Directorate's (ED) investigation into the Sabarimala gold theft is dragging. Many including Unnikrishnan Potty and A Padmakumar, the main accused in the case, have not been questioned yet. Reports say the transfer of the investigating officer has also affected the case.

Assistant Director Ashu Ghoel was transferred to Allahabad. ED started investigating the Sabarimala gold theft in January. The officials explain that a new officer has arrived and is studying the case file. It is reported that a detailed investigation will be conducted after this.

The ED had conducted preliminary information collection in October itself on the hints that black money transactions were taking place in the Sabarimala gold theft case. The ED had alleged that there was international interference in the gold theft. Earlier, there were news that the investigation by the Special Investigation Team (SIT) in the gold theft case had stalled. The ED investigation is now dragging on.

The SIT has not yet been able to file a chargesheet in the case. All the accused have been released on statutory bail as the chargesheet was not filed within 90 days. Still, the whereabouts of the looted gold have not been found yet. Although 470 grams of gold was seized from Govardhan's jewellery shop in Bellary, it is reported that this was not the one lost from Sabarimala. If the gold is not found, the case will be weakened. Since the robbery case cannot be sustained without the recovery of the stolen goods, the accused may escape. If the main case fails, the charges under the Prevention of Corruption Act filed against the accused will also be expunged. It has not yet been found how much gold was looted.