Kochi: The investigation into the Sabarimala gold theft has entered a decisive stage, with the Special Investigation Team (SIT) scheduled to submit its progress report before the Kerala High Court today. This is the fourth interim report to be filed in the case. The matter will be heard by the High Court’s Devaswom Bench, and Superintendent of Police Sashidharan will appear in person.
During the previous hearing on December 3, the High Court strongly criticised the slow pace of the investigation following the arrest of former Travancore Devaswom Board president A. Padmakumar. In the wake of the court’s observations, former Devaswom Board member Vijayakumar was arrested. The SIT also questioned former Devaswom Minister Kadakampally Surendran and former Devaswom Board president P. S. Prasanth as part of the probe.
The SIT will inform the court about the arrests of former Devaswom Board member Vijayakumar, Smart Creation CEO Pankaj Pandari, and Govardhan. Investigators also examined whether the Sabarimala gold theft is linked to an inter-state antique smuggling racket, a possibility raised by opposition leader Ramesh Chennithala and a foreign industrialist associate. Information obtained from the questioning of Tamil Nadu native D. Mani in this regard will also be placed before the court.
The High Court has granted the SIT time until January 17 to complete the investigation.
