The Kerala High Court criticized the Special Investigation Team (SIT) for delays in filing charge sheets related to the Sabarimala gold theft cases. The court expressed serious concern as these delays have allowed key accused individuals to secure statutory bail and walk free. So far, 13 arrests have been made in connection with the cases, with one person already obtaining statutory bail.
The court emphasized that such delays in filing charge sheets erode public confidence in the investigation and raise doubts about its seriousness. It highlighted the impact of accused individuals being released due to these delays, noting that it undermines the credibility of the probe. The court specifically mentioned instances where accused persons had secured statutory bail due to delays in filing charge sheets.
The observations were made during a plea hearing filed by accused and Smart Creations CEO Pankaj Bhandari seeking release. Bhandari argued that his arrest was unnecessary, citing his cooperation with the investigation. However, the court clarified that his arrest was unavoidable and stressed the importance of granting legal protections, including statutory bail, to arrested individuals in line with Supreme Court directives.
The SIT, in response to the court’s concerns, explained that procedural and evidentiary challenges had caused delays in preparing the charge sheet. It mentioned the seizure of documents from various locations and the need for key scientific evidence to establish the offenses conclusively. The SIT reiterated its commitment to focusing on securing convictions and ensuring that those responsible are brought to justice, even if accused individuals are released on bail.
