The Vigilance Court in Kollam will pronounce its order tomorrow on an application filed by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) seeking certified copies of documents, including FIRs, related to the Sabarimala gold-plating theft cases. The prosecution argued that the investigation should be confined strictly to the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). It also contended that any further investigation by the ED would adversely affect the ongoing probe.
The ED sought the documents to investigate the money allegedly obtained through the theft of gold plating. If the certified copies are granted, the ED will register a separate case and initiate an investigation. The agency requested copies of the FIRs filed by the Special Investigation Team, statements of those arrested and other witnesses, seized documents, remand reports, and related records.
Meanwhile, in the case involving the theft of gold from the Dwarakapala idol, former Devaswom Board President and former MLA A. Padmakumar will be produced before the court today as his remand period ends. His bail plea will also be considered today. The bail application of prime accused Unnikrishnan Potti, in both the cases related to the theft of gold from the wooden panel (kattilappali) and the Dwarakapala idols, will also be taken up for hearing today.
