The Kerala High Court has directed authorities to expedite the process of granting prosecution sanctions in the Sabarimala gold theft case, enabling the trial proceedings to commence without further delay. The direction came after the Special Investigation Team (SIT) submitted an update on the investigation.
A Division Bench of Justice Raja Vijayaraghavan V. and Justice K.V. Jayakumar was informed that the Assistant Legal Advisor had approved the draft charge and provided legal advice on November 9, 2026.
The SIT informed the Court that 13 persons have been named as accused in the final report. The prosecution has cited 350 witnesses, along with 285 documents and 12 material objects.
The Court was informed that prosecution sanction under Section 19(1)(c) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, is required for certain accused who are public servants.
The Bench recorded:
"The final report will be filed before the jurisdictional Court upon receipt of the requisite prosecution sanctions."
The Court further directed:
"Let the matter be expedited so that the trial proceedings can commence without further delay."
The SIT also informed the Bench that the investigation in Crime No. 3700 of 2025 had reached its final stage. The Court posted the matter for further consideration on December 2, 2026.
The Bench recorded that the SIT had submitted sanction requests to the competent authorities for the concerned accused.
It noted:
"The Assistant Legal Advisor has approved the draft charge and furnished legal advice on 09.11.2026."
The Court directed that the process be expedited so that the trial could begin without further delay.
