Kerala HC declines to interfere in Sabarimala gold theft probe; defers plea on CBI probe

KOCHI: The Kerala High Court on Friday made it clear that it will not interfere in the ongoing investigation into the alleged gold theft linked to Sabarimala Temple, observing that a competent officer is handling the investigation under judicial supervision.

The observation came when the court considered a petition seeking a probe by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) into the incident, popularly referred to as the Sabarimala gold theft case.

A Devaswom Bench of the High Court said the investigation is being carried out by “one of the best investigating officers in the state,” and therefore, there is no reason at present for the court to intervene or order a Central agency probe.

The Bench also clarified that certain observations made by the trial court while granting bail to the accused cannot be the sole basis for transferring the investigation to another agency.

Such remarks, the court indicated, do not automatically warrant judicial interference in an ongoing probe.