The Kerala High Court has directed the Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the Sabarimala gold theft allegations to expedite the statutory process of obtaining sanction to prosecute the accused individuals.
A Division Bench comprising Justice V. Raja Vijayaraghavan and Justice K.V. Jayakumar issued the instructions during proceedings reviewing progress in cases linked to the alleged misappropriation of gold from the hill shrine. As reported by The Hindu's legal correspondent in Kochi, the court made it clear that procedural bottlenecks must be cleared swiftly so that trial proceedings can move forward.
Status of the Charge Sheet and Administrative Delays
During the hearing, the bench was informed that investigators have already prepared both a factual report and a draft charge sheet in the primary case concerning the alleged removal of gold cladding from the Sreekovil (sanctum sanctorum) of the Sabarimala Ayyappa Temple. However, the investigating agency explained that finalizing these documents required input and vetting from an assistant legal adviser.
Although an assistant legal adviser had been formally designated for the task, the official had not yet assumed office, creating an administrative pause in processing the case papers. Addressing the delay, Director General of Prosecution Asaf Ali informed the bench that "all necessary steps" would be initiated promptly to finalize the paperwork and submit the request for prosecution sanction to the competent authority.
Scope of the Investigation
The ongoing investigation encompasses two distinct alleged incidents involving temple property:
1. The Sreekovil Case: Pertains to allegations concerning the unauthorized removal or loss of gold cladding from the sanctum sanctorum of the shrine.
2. The Dwarapalaka Idol Case: Involves the alleged removal of gold from the Dwarapalaka idol plates and adjoining side plates.
The Division Bench instructed the SIT to adhere strictly to the timelines previously laid down by the court to conclude the probe into the Dwarapalaka idols and seek the required prosecution sanction within that specified framework.
| Case Scope | Subject Matter | Current Investigation Status | Next Procedural Requirement |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sreekovil Case | Gold cladding from the sanctum sanctorum | Draft charge sheet and factual report prepared | Clearance by assistant legal adviser; prosecution sanction submission |
| Dwarapalaka Idols Case | Gold from idol plates and side plates | Ongoing investigation under judicial monitoring | Completion of probe within fixed court timeline and sanction request |
Jurisdictional Directions
The High Court emphasized that once the government or relevant sanctioning authority grants approval to prosecute, the SIT must submit its final police report directly before the jurisdictional magistrate court without further postponement.
Judicial oversight of the probe remains active as authorities seek to ensure accountability regarding the administration and preservation of sacred temple valuables at the Sabarimala shrine.
Frequently Asked Questions
What did the Kerala High Court direct the SIT to do in the Sabarimala case?
The High Court instructed the Special Investigation Team to expedite the process of obtaining formal prosecution sanction against the accused so that the final charge sheet can be filed in court.
Why was the filing of the draft charge sheet delayed?
Investigators informed the court that while the draft charge sheet and factual report were ready, finalization was held up pending review by a newly appointed assistant legal adviser who had not yet assumed charge.
What are the two specific cases being investigated?
The SIT is investigating two matters: the alleged removal of gold cladding from the temple's Sreekovil (sanctum sanctorum) and the alleged removal of gold from the Dwarapalaka idol plates and side plates.
