ED to investigate Sabarimala gold theft case alongside SIT

Kollam (Kerala): In a major setback to the Special Investigation Team probing the Sabarimala theft case, the Kollam Vigilance Court directed the Enforcement Directorate to join the SIT in the investigation of the Sabarimala gold theft.

The ED had filed a petition seeking certified copies of documents, including the FIR, remand reports, statements of arrested individuals and other witnesses, and seized materials. The court granted the request, allowing the agency to proceed with its investigation alongside the SIT.

The vigilance court directed the SIT to hand over all related documents to the Enforcement Directorate (ED).

The prosecution told the court it had no objection to sharing the documents but urged that the ED’s probe remain confined to offences under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act to avoid affecting the ongoing vigilance investigation.

The ED’s counsel said the documents were needed to trace the money trail connected to the theft. The agency also noted that Section 467 of the Indian Penal Code has been invoked in the case.