The Kerala High Court on Monday referred to the Chief Justice a plea by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) seeking documents related to the alleged gold theft at Sabarimala Temple.
A Bench of Justice C.S. Dias observed that the ED’s plea is connected to a case in which a Division Bench had ordered a probe into the matter by a Special Investigation Team (SIT).
The ED had earlier submitted before the court that the modus operandi showed that valuable temple property was illicitly diverted and its proceeds converted for personal gain, thereby giving rise to ‘proceeds of crime’ as defined under Section 2(1)(u) of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).
Although the agency had approached the Judicial First Class Magistrate Court, Ranni in October seeking certified copies of the FIR and other details of the case, its request was turned down, citing the ‘sensitive nature’ of the case and stating that the High Court was monitoring the case that was being probed by the SIT.
Bail plea
In the meantime, S. Sreekumar, a former Administrative Officer of the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) approached the HC, seeking anticipatory bail in the case. He has been arraigned as the sixth accused in the case. He contended that he took charge in July, 2019, and that the gold-clad plates had been removed for replating prior to his tenure.
He further said he had no role in the matter, other than signing documents and mahazars on the instructions of superior officers. The court directed the public prosecutor to obtain instructions from the State government on the matter. His petition has been posted for hearing on December 1.
Published – November 17, 2025 09:19 pm IST
