In a significant development concerning the alleged theft of gold from the revered Sabarimala temple, the Kerala High Court has granted a crucial extension to the Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the case. The court has provided an additional six weeks to complete the comprehensive investigation into the serious allegations.
Court Grants Crucial Time Extension
The order was passed by a bench comprising Justices V Raja Vijayaraghavan and K V Jayakumar. The bench was considering a suo motu case initiated by the court itself regarding the alleged pilferage of gold from the sanctum sanctorum of the famous pilgrimage site. Earlier, the High Court had constituted the SIT and mandated it to conclude the probe within an initial period of six weeks.
However, citing the scale and seriousness of the allegations, the investigating team sought more time to conduct a thorough inquiry. Acknowledging the complexity of the case, the court found the request reasonable and granted the extension.
Investigation Progress and Forensic Awaits
Superintendent of Police S Sasidharan, who heads the SIT, personally appeared before the High Court on Wednesday. He submitted detailed progress reports pertaining to the two formal cases registered by the team. After carefully perusing these reports, the court expressed satisfaction with the manner in which the investigation is being conducted.
The bench noted that samples collected from the coverings of the dwarapalaka idols and other valuable items had already been sent for scientific and forensic examination. However, the results from these tests are still pending. The investigating officer informed the court that the crucial forensic report is expected to be received within a week.
Complex Financial Trails Under Scrutiny
The court was further informed that several intricate aspects of the case are still in preliminary stages of investigation. This includes a detailed probe into the transactions of 2018 and 2019 related to the main door of the Sreekovil (sanctum sanctorum).
Furthermore, investigators are unraveling a series of transactions between 2014 and 2025 concerning the transportation of various items to Chennai. These items were purportedly sent for the purpose of gold-plating the dwarapalaka idols. Given the timeframe and complexity of these financial trails, the SIT required more time for a meticulous investigation.
Considering all these submissions, the High Court granted the SIT the requested additional six weeks to complete the probe. The matter has now been adjourned for further hearing to January 5.
