Sabarimala Gold Theft: Kerala High Court Grants SIT Two More Weeks To Complete Investigation

The Kerala High Court on Monday (May 18) granted two more weeks to the Special Investigation Team to complete its probe into alleged misappropriation of gold from the Dwarapalaka idols and door frames of the Sreekovil in Sabarimala temple.The Division Bench of Justice Raja Vijayaraghavan V. and Justice K.V. Jayakumar perused a report submitted by Sri. S. Sasidharan, the Investigating Officer, and noted that the statements of 391 witnesses have been recorded.The Bench further took note of the fact that the SIT carried out detailed inspections at Smart Creations, the shop where the removed gold-cladded items were taken for gold plating, as well as several temples in Bengaluru. The analysis of digital records and devices seized are also underway, the Bench remarked.Previously, the Court had recorded that samples collected from various parts of the temple structure, including pillar plates and gold-plated idol components, had been sent to the National Metallurgical Laboratory (CSIR-NML) in Jamshedpur for detailed examination as previously ordered.Today, the Court was informed that the detail in completing the investigation was due to the non-receipt of the detailed analysis report from CSIR-NML, where around 36 samples have been forwarded for scientific examination. It was also told that the lab has informed that report would be ready in 10 days."It is further submitted that the laboratory authorities have informed the Special Investigation Team that the final analysis report is expected to be furnished within a period of ten days. It is only upon receipt of the said report that the investigating agency will be in a position to conclusively ascertain the exact nature and extent of the gold plating carried out over the gold cladded plates, the quantity of gold involved, whether any substitution or swapping of copper plates had in fact taken place and such other matters...Furthermore, it is only after receipt of the analysis report that the complicity and involvement of the various persons connected with the removal of the gold cladded copper plates of the Dwarapalakas during the month of September 2025 can be properly determined and the culpability of the persons concerned fixed. The registration of fresh crimes and the persons involved would also depend upon the outcome of the said report. We are therefore satisfied that the report from the National Metallurgical Laboratory, Jamshedpur, is indispensable for a complete and clear understanding of the facts under investigation and for fixing the liability of the accused persons involved," the Court added.Taking this into consideration, the Court felt it fit to extend the deadline granted to the SIT to complete the investigation.Case No: WP(C) No. 40608 of 2025Case Title: Suo Motu v. State of Kerala and Ors.Click Here To Read/ Download Interim Order

Sabarimala Gold Theft: Kerala High Court Grants SIT Two More Weeks To Complete Investigation

K. Salma Jennath

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Sabarimala Gold Theft: Kerala High Court Grants SIT Two More Weeks To Complete Investigation

K. Salma Jennath

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