The Kerala High Court on Monday approached the Chief Justice with a plea by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) seeking documents related to the alleged theft of gold at the Sabarimala temple.
Justice CS Dias observed that the ED’s plea was related to a case in which the division bench had ordered a Special Investigation Team (SIT) probe into the matter.
The ED had earlier told the court that the modus operandi showed that valuable temple property was illegally diverted and its proceeds converted into personal gain, thereby generating “proceeds of crime” as defined in Section 2(1)(c). u) of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).
Although the agency had approached the Ranni trial court in October seeking certified copies of the FIR and other details of the case, its request was rejected citing the “sensitive nature” of the case and a statement that the High Court was monitoring the case, which was being investigated by the SIT.
Request for bail
Meanwhile, S Sreekumar, former chief administrative officer of the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB), approached the HC seeking anticipatory bail in the case. He was indicted as the sixth accused in the case. He claimed that he took over in July 2019 and that the gilded plates were removed for overlay purposes before his tenure.
He further said that he had no role in the matter except signing documents and mahazars as directed by superior officers. The court directed the public prosecutor to take instructions from the state government in the matter. His petition was sent for hearing on December 1.
Published – 17 Nov 2025 21:19 IST
