Kerala HC stays special court remarks made while granting bail to tanthri

Kochi: Bringing relief to the state govt and special investigation team (SIT) probing the alleged gold heist at the Sabarimala temple, high court has stayed the remarks made by the Kollam special which had effectively given a clean chit to Kandararu Rajeevaru while granting him bail in the case.A bench led by Justice A Badharudeen issued the order on a petition filed by the SIT seeking to quash the bail granted to Rajeevaru and to expunge the remarks made by the bail court. While granting bail, the special court had observed that the allegation of criminal conspiracy against Rajeevaru was not supported by any prima facie material at that stage of investigation. The court further stated that no iota of evidence had been adduced by SIT to establish any direct nexus between the petitioner and first accused at that stage, apart from the bald averment that a close relationship existed between them.In its petition, SIT contended that the observations made by the bail court were unwarranted and prejudicial to the probe. Director general of prosecution (DGP), appearing for the state govt, also submitted that the remarks would hinder the filing of the final report against the tanthri.While considering the petition on Tuesday, the single bench observed that the apprehension expressed by the DGP was prima facie sustainable, particularly since a division bench has been monitoring the investigation and had recorded its satisfaction with the probe, including the arraignment of Rajeevaru as an accused. Accordingly, HC stayed the operation of the adverse remarks made by the special court and issued notice to Rajeevaru. HC adjourned the matter to April 7.