The Kerala High Court on Friday declined to interfere in the ongoing investigation into the alleged gold theft linked to the Sabarimala Temple, stating that the probe is being conducted by a competent officer under judicial supervision. The court made the observation while hearing a petition seeking a probe by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) into the case.

A Devaswom Bench of the High Court noted that the investigation is currently being handled by “one of the best investigating officers in the state,” and therefore there is no immediate reason for the court to intervene or transfer the case to a central agency. The alleged theft, commonly referred to as the Sabarimala gold theft case, has attracted considerable public attention in recent weeks.

The Bench also clarified that certain remarks made by a trial court while granting bail to the accused cannot serve as the sole basis for ordering a change in the investigating agency. According to the court, such observations do not automatically justify judicial intervention in an ongoing investigation.

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Emphasising the limits of judicial oversight, the High Court said the probe is already progressing under its supervision and that intervention would occur only if compelling circumstances arise. The Bench further underlined that courts must rely strictly on the evidence and materials placed on record rather than on public perception or speculation surrounding the case.

The petition seeking a CBI investigation has been scheduled for further consideration after a week, allowing the court time to review the status and progress of the ongoing probe.

Meanwhile, legal proceedings in the case continue, with nine of the 13 accused named in two Special Investigation Team charge sheets having secured bail so far. The investigation is expected to proceed under the current arrangement unless the court decides otherwise at a later stage.

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