Sabarimala gold theft: ED moves court seeking FIR details

KOLLAM: The ED filed an application in the Kollam Vigilance Court seeking a copy of the First Information Report in the Sabarimala gold theft case. The Special Investigation Team asked the court for time to raise objections. Both will be considered on the 10th.

The High Court had ordered the lower court to consider the ED's petition seeking a copy of the FIR for the investigation into money laundering. Earlier, the Ranni Magistrate's Court had rejected this request. Subsequently, the officials approached the High Court. In the meantime, the case was transferred to the Kollam Vigilance Court.

The ED application states that the information is being sought because Section 467 of the IPC, which falls under the ambit of the Money Laundering Act, has been included in gold theft cases. Public servants, including Devaswom Board office bearers, were arrested in the case. The ED has the power to calculate the amount of money siphoned through crimes and take procedures to confiscate the amount. The application also states that the FIR information will not be used for media or other purposes.

Former Thiruvabharanam Commissioner K.S. Baiju's judicial custody was extended for another 14 days on Friday. Former Devaswom Board President A. Padmakumar's bail application will be considered on the 8th. The SIT filed a custody application to question Padmakumar in the case of stealing gold from the Dwarapalaka idols.