Health and Devaswom Minister K. Muraleedharan said here on Tuesday that the State government could not intervene in the Special Investigation Team’s (SIT) probe into the Sabarimala gold theft case, as any such interference would amount to contempt of court.

The Minister said the government could not order a fresh investigation as the SIT had full authority over the case. “The legal aspects will be examined and the Cabinet will take an appropriate decision,” he said. Pointing out that the SIT was yet to file a chargesheet, he said an elected government had the responsibility to ensure that those responsible were brought to justice.

He said renovation and expansion works at the Palakkad District Hospital were progressing, with one block expected to be completed in three months and another in 18 months. The hospital will be upgraded to a General Hospital once the projects are completed, he added.

Mr. Muraleedharan said the Palakkad District Hospital had the highest number of doctor vacancies in the State and that steps would be taken to fill them at the earliest. He added that the newly appointed hospital superintendent was yet to assume charge and had been instructed to do so without delay.

On medical education, Mr. Muraleedharan said the government had directed that only four years’ tuition fee be collected for MBBS courses from the current academic year. The issue of excess fees collected in previous years was before the court, and the government would abide by its verdict while maintaining that the excess amount should be refunded to students.

Earlier, the Minister inspected healthcare facilities in Palakkad and visited the temples at Kalpathy and Manappullikavu.

Published - July 14, 2026 07:14 pm IST