Kerala HC refers ED plea on Sabarimala gold theft documents to Chief Justice

Kochi: The Kerala High Court on Monday referred to the Chief Justice a petition filed by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) seeking access to documents related to the Sabarimala gold theft case.

Justice C S Dias, who heard the matter, noted that the ED’s plea is closely linked to SSCR No. 23 of 2025, in which a Division Bench had ordered a Special Investigation Team (SIT) probe. “Therefore, the registry is directed to place this matter before the Honourable Chief Justice to decide whether it can be tagged and heard along with SSCR No. 23 and the connected case,” the court said.

The ED approached the High Court, stating that it is examining whether a PMLA (Prevention of Money Laundering Act) investigation is warranted into the Sabarimala gold theft. However, when it sought the FIR and other documents from the Judicial First Class Magistrate Court, Ranni, the request was declined as the case is being monitored directly by the High Court Division Bench.

Meanwhile, former Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) Administrative Officer S Sreekumar moved the High Court seeking anticipatory bail in the case related to missing gold sheets from the cladding plates of the ‘Dwarapalaka’ idol. He is the sixth accused.

Sreekumar submitted that he took charge as Sabarimala Devaswom Administrative Officer on July 4, 2019, and that the gold plates had been removed for replating before his tenure. He said he had no role except signing documents and mahazars as instructed by superiors.

Justice K Babu heard the bail plea and directed the Public Prosecutor to seek instructions from the state government. The petition will be considered again on December 1.