Sabarimala Gold Theft: SIT Files Report, Kerala HC Order Expected Today, Scientific Evidence Bolsters Probe

The Kerala High Court is expected to pass an order on Monday after the Special Investigation Team (SIT) submitted a status report in the alleged gold theft case at the Sabarimala temple. The report outlines the progress of the investigation, scientific evidence collected so far and the alleged role of those under scrutiny.

SIT Maps Out Alleged Theft Operation

According to sources, the status report describes how the accused allegedly removed and transported the Dwarapalaka idols and gold-plated copper plates in 2025. Investigators have also detailed the suspected involvement of temple officials and employees during different stages of the alleged offence.

The SIT has informed the High Court about the timeline within which it expects to complete the probe and file its final report before the jurisdictional court.

Scientific Reports Offer Key Evidence

The investigation has relied heavily on scientific analysis to understand how the alleged pilferage was carried out. Officials from the National Metallurgical Laboratory (NML), Jamshedpur, have recorded their statements before the SIT after examining samples taken from temple artefacts.

The samples from the gold-plated and gold-clad copper plates were dispatched to the laboratory on March 3, and the NML submitted its findings on May 29.

Investigators said the NML findings, read together with the report prepared by the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC), provide a detailed explanation of the alleged technique used in the gold theft. The NML report has already been submitted before the Kerala High Court, which observed that the scientific findings would help establish the manner in which the alleged pilferage at Sannidhanam took place.

Witness Statements And Digital Records Under Examination

The SIT has significantly expanded its investigation by questioning 408 witnesses and recording their statements.

The team has also collected digital evidence, including two 1 TB hard disks seized from the office of the Executive Officer at Sabarimala and another 2 TB hard disk containing records from 2018-19. All the storage devices have been sent to the Kerala State Forensic Science Laboratory for forensic examination.

Fresh Temple Samples Collected

As the investigation progresses, the SIT recently dismantled the Prabhamandalam plates and the upper door-frame plate at the temple with the assistance of technical experts.

Samples collected from these structures have been forwarded for scientific testing. Investigators are continuing to gather evidence to determine the exact sequence of events behind the alleged gold theft and identify the responsibility of each person involved.

The SIT is expected to conclude its investigation and submit the final report before the jurisdictional court within the timeframe mentioned in the status report submitted to the Kerala High Court.