Sabarimala gold theft: Some of the accused likely to be turned approvers

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Special Investigation Team (SIT) is set to file interim charge sheets soon in both cases related to the Sabarimala gold theft. A draft of the charge sheets has already been prepared. The charge sheets will be submitted in court after obtaining the prosecution sanction from the government. At present, the accused are likely to get default bail as the charge sheets were not filed within 90 days of their arrest. The Opposition has intensified its criticism over the delay in filing the charge sheets.

If the scientific examination report from the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC) is received in time, it will also be included along with the charge sheets. The report is expected to help determine the exact quantity of gold stolen from Sabarimala. The draft charge sheets will be sent for legal scrutiny, and the SIT plans to submit them in court by the first week of March.

Statements of key witnesses, including intermediaries involved in selling the gold, have been recorded confidentially. The SIT has decided to turn some of the accused into approvers to strengthen the case and will file an application in court for this. Meanwhile, the failure to recover the stolen gold remains a major challenge. Murari Babu, a former administrative officer, has been released on bail in both cases. First accused Unnikrishnan Potty has received bail in one case. More accused are likely to get default bail. The final charge sheet will be filed after a detailed follow-up investigation.

ED questions Murari Babu
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) questioned Murari Babu, former administrative officer of the Travancore Devaswom Board, in connection with the Sabarimala gold theft case. The ED also issued a notice to former administrative officer S Sreekumar, who is out on bail, asking him to appear for questioning.

Murari Babu, who was granted bail in the case registered by the SIT, appeared at the ED office in Kadavanthra at 10 am on Tuesday. The questioning continued late into the night. Sources said the ED focused mainly on Murari Babu’s role in the gold theft case and related financial transactions.

S Sreekumar, who was granted bail on January 29, has been directed through the notice to appear before the ED later this week. After collecting information from those who have secured bail in the SIT case, the ED is expected to move forward with questioning other accused in the case.