The Kerala High Court on Wednesday declined to transfer the investigation into the alleged misappropriation of gold from the revered Sabarimala temple to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), noting that the ongoing Special Investigation Team (SIT) probe was progressing effectively.
A division bench comprising Justices Raja Vijayaraghavan V and K V Jayakumar made the observations while hearing a batch of petitions, including one filed by BJP state president Rajeev Chandrasekhar, seeking a CBI inquiry into the theft of temple gold, including parts of the Dwarapalaka idols and the sanctum sanctorum door frames.
Court sources said the bench acknowledged the sincere efforts being undertaken by the SIT, stating it was “a good unit with competent officers,” and stressed that the judiciary would not “demoralise them by questioning their work.” The court further underlined that it was actively monitoring the investigation and was “aware of all the things unearthed by the SIT.”
The observations come as a setback to the opposition Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF), which has been alleging interference by the Chief Minister’s Office in the investigation, claiming that it has led to undue delay in the filing of the charge sheet. UDF members disrupted the state Assembly proceedings on Tuesday and Wednesday, demanding a CBI probe.
In contrast, the court’s remarks bolster the ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF)’s position that the investigation is on the right track.
The SIT is currently investigating two criminal cases related to the alleged theft of gold components from the Sreekovil (sanctum sanctorum) and guardian deity (Dwarapalaka) idols of the Lord Ayyappa shrine. So far, the team has arrested 12 individuals, three of whom are out on statutory bail due to failure to file the charge sheet within 90 days.
Among the accused is prime suspect Unnikrishnan Potty, who has secured statutory bail in both cases and is likely to be released once bail formalities are completed.
The High Court’s refusal to shift the probe to the CBI reaffirms its confidence in the SIT’s ongoing investigation and signals judicial backing for the current course of action. The matter continues to carry significant political and religious sensitivity in Kerala, given the shrine’s importance and the gravity of the allegations.
