Kochi, 13 March (H.S.):The Kerala High Court on Friday observed that the Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the alleged Sabarimala gold theft case is conducting the investigation in a satisfactory and professional manner, and said there is no reason for the court to interfere with the ongoing probe at this stage.

The court made the observation while hearing a petition filed by BJP Kerala president Rajeev Chandrasekhar along with several Hindu organisations seeking a transfer of the investigation to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). The petitioners had argued that the current probe by the SIT was not credible and alleged that the State government was exerting pressure on the investigation team.

According to the petitioners, several key suspects in the case remain at large and the probe has not progressed in a transparent manner. They contended that only a central agency such as the CBI could ensure an impartial and independent investigation into the alleged theft of gold connected with the Sabarimala temple. The petitioners therefore requested the High Court to order a CBI investigation into the matter.

However, the High Court noted that the SIT investigation is proceeding under its supervision and is being handled by some of the most experienced police officers in the State as well as in the country. The bench said that the court is closely monitoring the progress of the investigation and therefore does not see any immediate need to hand over the case to another agency.

During the hearing, the court also clarified that certain observations made by the trial court while granting bail to some of the accused would not influence the High Court’s view regarding the investigation. The bench stated that remarks made in bail orders cannot be treated as final findings on the merits of the case.

The High Court further observed that the investigation appears to be progressing in the right direction and expressed satisfaction with the work carried out by the SIT so far. At the same time, the court indicated that it would continue to keep a close watch on the progress of the probe.

The bench finally decided to post the petition for further consideration after one week, allowing time for the SIT to continue its investigation and submit updates on the progress of the case.

The alleged Sabarimala gold theft case has attracted significant public and political attention in Kerala, with several organisations demanding a thorough and transparent investigation into the matter.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Arun Lakshman