The Kerala High Court on Monday directed authorities to expedite the process of obtaining prosecution sanction in the Sabarimala gold theft case [Suo Motu v The State of Kerala & ors].
The case concerns the alleged misappropriation of gold from the gold-plated copper coverings on door frames, sides, and roof of the Sabarimala temple's sanctum sanctorum (Sreekovil).
A Division Bench of Justice Raja Vijayaraghavan V and Justice KV Jayakumar passed the direction after the Special Investigation Team (SIT) informed the Court that it has completed its probe into the case.
The Court directed the SIT to submit its final report on the case without delay before the jurisdictional court once the prosecution sanction is obtained.
"In the aforesaid circumstances, we direct the concerned authorities to take all necessary steps to expedite the matter and ensure that the requisite legal advice is obtained without delay and the request for prosecution sanction is placed before the competent authority," the Court said in its order.
The case arose after allegations surfaced regarding misappropriation of gold from the Dwarapalakas which were donated by a devotee along with the gold coverings over the sides and roof of the 'Sreekovil' in 1999.
In 2019, the gold coverings were removed and taken to Chennai for repair works. However, the records prepared by the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) at the time of the removal described the plates as copper sheets and not gold-plated copper plates.
The alleged theft came to light after several kilograms of gold were found to be missing when the plates were measured after repair work.
In 2025, when the special commissioner alerted the Court about the removal of the gold cladded plates, it initiated the suo motu proceedings and formed an SIT to investigate the alleged crimes.
The Court has since been monitoring the progress in the case.
The present order of the Court was passed during an in-camera hearing.
Sasidharan IPS, who heads the SIT, informed the Court that the investigation in the doorframes case has concluded.
However, the SIT had not sought the prosecution sanction under Section 19(1)(c) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, which is required before the chargesheet can be filed.
He explained that although the SIT had prepared the factual report and draft chargesheet, it could not proceed with the request for seeking prosecution sanction, as they were waiting for the Assistant Legal Advisor's opinion. However, the advisor has not yet assumed charge despite being appointed, the Court was told.
Director General of Prosecution T Asaf Ali assured the Court that steps would be taken to ensure that the advisor assumes charge and provides the necessary legal opinion without further delay.
The Court then directed the authorities to ensure that the request for prosecution action is placed before the competent authority.
It also directed the SIT to complete the investigation in the separate case concerning Dwarapalaka idols and seek prosecution sanction within the timelines fixed by the Court.
[Read Order]