NK Unnikrishnan Appointed Special Public Prosecutor In Sabarimala Gold Loss Cases

Thiruvananthapuram : The Kerala government has appointed NK Unnikrishnan as Special Prosecutor to handle the investigation in the Sabarimala gold loss cases, an official said on Thursday. The appointment was made in a government order issued on Wednesday.

Unnikrishnan will lead the prosecution of the Special Investigation Team in two cases related to the loss of gold from the Dwarapalaka idols and the door frames of Sreekovil (sanctum sanctorum).

It will also provide legal advice during the investigation and review indictments before they are presented to the court.

Unnikrishnan, from Thrissur, had earlier served as Special Prosecutor in the April 2016 rape and murder case of law student Jisha at her house in Kuruppampady.

The prosecution under his leadership secured the conviction and death sentence of the sole accused, Ameerul Islam.

He is also serving as Special Prosecutor in serial murder cases filed against Jolly of Koodathai in Kozhikode.

The prosecution is facing heat in the Sabarimala gold loss investigation after an accused was released on statutory bail following delay in filing charges in two cases.

Apart from SIT, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) has initiated a money laundering investigation into the gold loss incident at Sabarimala.