The Kerala High Court has directed authorities to expedite the prosecution sanction process in the alleged Sabarimala temple gold theft case after the Special Investigation Team (SIT) reported completing its investigation in one of the criminal cases.
A Division Bench of Justice Raja Vijayaraghavan V and Justice K. V. Jayakumar passed the order on October 26, 2026.
The suo motu proceedings concern the alleged removal of gold from the gold-clad Dwarapalaka idols placed beside the Sreekovil, the temple's sanctum sanctorum, at Sabarimala.
During the hearing, the officer heading the SIT informed the Court that the investigation in Crime No. 3701 of 2025 had been completed. However, the final report could not be submitted because prosecution sanction under Section 19(1)(c) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, was required.
The Court was informed that the necessary documents had been prepared, but the investigating agency was awaiting legal advice from an Assistant Legal Advisor who had not yet assumed charge.
The Bench directed the authorities to expedite the process, stating:
"In the aforesaid circumstances, we direct the concerned authorities to take all necessary steps to expedite the matter and ensure that the requisite legal advice is obtained without delay and the request for prosecution sanction is placed before the competent authority."
The Court further ordered:
"The SIT shall ensure that, upon obtaining the requisite prosecution sanction, the final report is submitted before the jurisdictional court without any delay."
The Bench also directed the SIT to complete the investigation in Crime No. 3700 of 2025 and seek prosecution sanction within the timeframe specified in its October 7, 2026 order.
The matter was posted for November 10, 2026.
Case Details
Case Title: Suo Motu v. State of Kerala & Others
Case Number: W.P.(C) No. 40608 of 2025
Judges: Justice Raja Vijayaraghavan V and Justice K. V. Jayakumar
Decision Date: October 26, 2026
