In a scathing indictment, the Kerala High Court on Tuesday reprimanded the SIT probing the sensational gold thefts from Sabarimala temple. Delays in submitting charge sheets have triggered statutory bails for accused, prompting Justice A. Badaruddin to voice profound concerns about the investigation’s integrity and public perception.
Two charge sheets have been filed so far, leading to arrests of 13 persons, yet one has already been released on statutory grounds. The court dissected how failure to meet timelines not only frees suspects but also breeds widespread doubt. Why weren’t proactive measures taken to avert this, the bench quizzed the SIT sharply.
Spotlight fell on Murari Babu, ex-Devaswom Board officer and accused in the Dwarapalika and Kattilppala thefts, now out on bail. Unnikrishnan Potti, a prime suspect, enjoys bail in one case and is set for statutory relief in the other come February 2. The judge noted these developments undermine the probe’s stature irreparably.
The exchange unfolded amid bail hearings for Pankaj Bhandari of Smart Creations, who claimed exhaustive cooperation pre-arrest. Rejecting deferral of his custody, the court balanced this with mandates for legal safeguards under Supreme Court guidelines.
SIT officials defended the slowdown, pointing to evidentiary bottlenecks and ongoing analysis of seized records from temple board premises. Scientific corroboration to conclusively prove the crimes is still in the works, they explained. Nonetheless, the team vowed unwavering pursuit of justice against all involved.
Echoes of the courtroom drama reverberated in the state assembly, fueling a heated debate between CM Pinarayi Vijayan and opposition chief V.D. Satheesan. Protests by two MLAs outside accused the government of meddling, amplifying calls for transparency. This pivotal moment underscores the urgent need for accelerated investigative rigor in safeguarding sacred assets.