The Kerala High Court on Thursday (September 24) closed the plea moved by BJP leader K. Surendran seeking a direction not to replace the existing members of the Devaswom Vigilance Investigation Team functioning at Sabarimala, while the probe into the gold theft cases are pending. [2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 526]

The plea that came up before the Division Bench of Justice Raja Vijayaraghavan V. and Justice K.V. Jayakumar was moved after seeing a news article dated September 14 on Mathrubhumi daily reporting that the State Police Chief is intending to replace the Vigilance Team members despite specific directions of the High Court.

For context, the High Court had, in a suo motu petition (SSCR No. 21/2026), had expressed its view that the tenure of the Chief Vigilance and Security Officer (Travancore Devaswom Board), and the officers in the Vigilance Wing ought to be extended. Subsequently, the SSCR was closed on September 18, recording that the government had decided to extend their term till January 31, 2027.

Referring to the afore news report, the plea stated that the Police Chief is proceeding against the High Court orders and taking steps to replace the Vigilance Team at a crucial time when the investigation into the Sabarimala Gold Theft cases are pending. It is stated that an official circular was issued calling for applications to the team. However, no documents evidencing the alleged call of invitations had been produced.

The plea had sought a direction to maintain the members of the Vigilance wing as per the Court's order until filing of the final reports in the Sabarimala gold theft cases.

Yesterday, the Court heard the parties and opined that the apprehension expressed is misconceived.

"This Court has been monitoring the extension of tenure of the officers in the Devaswom Vigilance, and specific directions have been issued in SSCR No. 21 of 2026 with regard to the extension of the tenure of officers till 31.01.2027 and the appointment of one Sub-Inspector. Orders in tune with the directions have also been issued. In view of the above, we are of the view that the apprehension expressed by the petitioner is misconceived," the Court observed.

It thus closed the plea.

Case No: WP(C) 32699/2026

Case Title: K. Surendran v. State of Kerala and Ors.

Citation: 2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 526

Counsel for the petitioner: G. Sreekumar (Chelur), N.J. Ashwin, Vishnu Pradeep

Counsel for the respondents: G. Biju - Standing Counsel - Travancore Devaswom Board, K.R. Sunil - Government Pleader (Devaswom)

Click to Read/Download Judgment

Click to Read/Download Orders in SSCR No. 21/2026