Sabarimala gold case: Kerala govt may act if SIT misses deadline

Kerala Minister K Muraleedharan said the state government would consider further steps if the SIT fails to file a charge sheet in the Sabarimala gold loss cases by the High Court’s September 25 deadline

Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala Devaswom and Health Minister K Muraleedharan on Friday said the state government would take further steps if the Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the Sabarimala gold loss cases failed to file the charge sheet within the deadline set by the High Court.

The SIT is probing two cases related to the loss of gold from the Dwarapalaka (guardian deity) idol and the doorframes of the Sreekovil (sanctum sanctorum) at Sabarimala.

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Earlier this month, the SIT informed the Kerala High Court that its investigation into the loss of gold from the doorframes was almost complete.

The court then directed the SIT to file the charge sheet in the case on or before September 25.

There were recent reports that the SIT would not be able to meet the deadline as the investigation was still progressing.

Responding to reporters’ queries, Muraleedharan said he had also seen such reports.

“I spoke with the Advocate General. I sought legal advice on what steps to take if the charge sheet isn’t filed before the court-mandated deadline,” he said.

Muraleedharan said further steps would be taken after the Advocate General gives his legal opinion.

“The Advocate General mentioned a reply would be provided in two days. We are not going to sit idle,” he said.

The SIT has arrested more than 15 people, including Tantri Kandararu Rajeevaru and three former Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) presidents, in the two cases.

On the reported death of a newborn at the Peroorkada government hospital recently, Muraleedharan said a complaint had been received and an inquiry report submitted.

The report did not state that there was medical negligence, he said.

“Let me clarify: if the government is convinced there was medical negligence, action will be taken. But demoralising doctors by alleging medical negligence in every instance is not right,” he said.

“Please do not spread speculations. As an elected representative — and given that Peroorkada falls under my constituency — I pay close attention to these matters as an MLA. If there is any fault on anyone’s part, action will be taken, but the government must be convinced of the fault first,” Muraleedharan said.