Sabarimala Gold Heist: Kerala High Court to Hear Case as SIT Readies Final Probe Report

The Kerala High Court's Devaswom Bench is set to resume hearings in the high-profile Sabarimala gold heist case on Monday, with the Special Investigation Team (SIT) expected to submit its final progress report on the investigation. The case, which has attracted significant public and political attention, concerns allegations of irregularities and theft involving gold used in various temple-related works at the Sabarimala shrine.

According to officials associated with the probe, the SIT is likely to present findings from scientific examinations conducted on gold plates at a laboratory in Jamshedpur. The investigation has been ongoing for nearly seven months and forms part of a broader inquiry ordered by the High Court into allegations surrounding gold-plating works carried out at the temple over multiple years.

A key aspect of Monday's proceedings will be the government's appeal seeking cancellation of the bail granted to the temple's chief priest. The matter is being considered by a bench headed by Justice A. Badharudeen. The hearing is expected to draw attention as the recently elected United Democratic Front (UDF) government may clarify its legal and administrative position regarding the case and the ongoing investigation.

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Earlier this month, the High Court agreed to examine the merits of the government's plea challenging the bail order. The court had also observed that certain remarks made by the Vigilance Court during the course of the investigation were unnecessary. However, it clarified that both the observations and the bail order remained open to judicial scrutiny and could be reviewed on their merits during subsequent proceedings.

All accused named in the case are currently out on bail. Former Travancore Devaswom Board member K.P. Sankaradas was among those granted bail after the SIT was unable to file chargesheets within the prescribed legal timeframe. The SIT has informed the court that there are 15 accused in the case relating to the Dwarapalaka idols and 12 accused in the case involving the sanctum doorway panels.

The High Court had earlier directed the SIT to investigate alleged irregularities in four phases, including gold-plating work undertaken in 1998, restoration projects carried out in 2019, and subsequent re-gold-plating activities. Meanwhile, political reactions have continued to emerge, with Hindu Aikya Vedi leaders questioning the government's stance on the issue. Kerala Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala recently stated that no individual found responsible for misappropriating Sabarimala temple gold would be spared, underscoring the government's commitment to pursuing the investigation to its conclusion.

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