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Kochi, Oct 21 (IANS) The Kerala High Court on Tuesday decided to register a fresh suo motu case in connection with the investigation into the Sabarimala gold theft, emphasizing the need to maintain complete confidentiality in the ongoing investigation.
The decision was taken after reviewing the progress made by the Special Investigation Team (SIT) formed by the court to probe the alleged disappearance of gold plates from the Sabarimala temple.
Keeping in mind the sensitive nature of the case, the bench said that certain aspects of the investigation require an additional layer of security.
The new case is based on a report submitted earlier by the special commissioner of Sabarimala temple.
Notably, the court has impleaded only the state government, the Travancore Devaswom Board and the Devaswom Vigilance Department as defendants.
None of the ten persons named as accused in the two FIRs filed have been made parties in the fresh proceedings.
This reflects the seriousness of the court in getting to the bottom of the truth, ensuring that no confidential details of the investigation are leaked, and maintaining the integrity of the investigation.
The proceedings took place in-camera, with lawyers for both the government and the Devaswom present.
During the hearing, SP S. The SIT led by Sasidharan sought an additional two weeks to continue its investigation beyond the six-week period initially approved.
The court fixed the hearing of the case for November 15.
The high court’s move to register a separate case is seen as a move to balance judicial oversight with the need for complete confidentiality in one of the most sensitive temple-related investigations in recent years.
It appears that the court’s latest direction has come at a time when both the Congress and the BJP have been demanding the resignation of Devaswom minister V N Vasavan and Devaswom board members and also a probe by a national agency ever since the scam came to light.
–IANS
SG/VD