The Kerala High Court on Friday directed a Special Investigation Team to conduct a thorough and confidential probe into the alleged gold theft case involving the Travancore Devaswom Board and the Sabarimala temple.
The court ordered that the investigation be completed within 6 weeks and a sealed report be submitted directly to the bench.
Strict Confidentiality Ordered
The division bench, comprising Justices Raja Vijayaraghavan and K.V. Jayakumar, emphasized that all aspects of the investigation must remain confidential. “No information related to the investigation should be leaked,” the court said, directing the SIT to communicate details only to the court.
An interim order further instructed that the investigation report be submitted in a sealed cover. The bench also prohibited Unnikrishnan Potty, one of the individuals connected to the case, from making any public statements or comments to the media regarding the Sabarimala issue.
Additionally, the state police chief has been made a party to the case, while the court ordered that all seized documents be securely kept with the registrar.
Expansion Of SIT Permitted
Considering the complexity of the case, the High Court permitted the expansion of the investigation team. Two more Deputy Superintendents of Police (DySPs) will be added to strengthen the probe.
During the hearing, Devaswom Vigilance SP S. Sasidharan, who heads the SIT, appeared in person and presented the final report. The bench also held a separate discussion with him after reviewing the submitted report.
The court found the Travancore Devaswom Board’s actions regarding the handling of gold-plated items in 2019 to be “questionable.” It noted that gold-plated copper plates were handed over to Unnikrishnan Potty for gold plating that year.
“The court observed that not only the Dwarapalaka sculptures but also the front and back doors of the shrine were covered in gold,” the order stated, adding that this was recorded on May 18, 2019, in the presence of the Thantri, Melshanthi, watcher, and guard. The Vigilance Officer had reportedly examined these details thoroughly.
Minister Responds To Opposition’s Allegations
Reacting to political criticism over the issue, Devaswom Minister V.N. Vasavan said that the government will ensure a transparent inquiry. He dismissed opposition calls for the resignation of former Devaswom Minister Kadakampally Surendran and himself, saying, “Do we have any cases filed against either of us in any court?”
Vasavan reaffirmed the government’s commitment to accountability, stating, “If there are any irregularities in the functioning of the Devaswom Board, the government will investigate them. The culprits must be brought before the law.
If anyone has taken even a single piece of gold from the Sabarimala temple, it will be returned, and strong legal action will follow.”
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