Sabarimala Gold Case: SIT Begins Scientific Tests at Hill Shrine

Pathanamthitta, The SIT investigating the theft of gold at the Sabarimala temple on Monday took several plates covered with gold, just outside the sreekovil and took them to the lab to undergo scientific tests, according to the authorities.

It started at 1.15 pm at the Kerala High Court suggestion after the rituals of deva anujna and closing of the temple after the uchcha puja.

"The procedure continued till 3 pm when the temple was reopened for rituals," an official said.

The investigation officer, who is the Deputy SP S Sasidharan, has taken a team of people to Sabarimala since Sunday to do the examination.

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Besides the police staff, the Special Investigation Team also had 20 members, among which there were forensic specialists and chemical analysts, the officials said.

Video and photo recording of the whole process took place.

Sculptors of Travancore Devaswom board helped the team to scratch off the plates inlaid with gold on the side pillars, the pedestals of the idols of the 'dwarapalaka' and the door frames of the sreekovil.

The plates were then moved to another room, and weight was taken and samples taken to be analyzed in forensic laboratory.

It was indicated that the plates will be installed back in a short time after the procedure.

The SIT had previously requested the court to allow them to carry out a scientific analysis of the plates of the idol of dwarapalaka to ascertain how much of the gold had been lost after being electroplated in 2019.

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The court then ordered the SIT to balance the plates of the sreekovil dwarapalaka idol and the side-pillar ones.

It also ordered investigators to take samples of the gold cladding to determine purity and quality, determine the surface area of the plates, and take samples of copper on the plates and door frames.

Scientific tests on the samples will be done, such as electrical conductivity, spectroscopic, and microstructure tests.

The SIT is investigating two cases which are connected with the loss of gold belonging to the plates of dwarapalaka and sreekovil door-frames plates.

Other than the prime accused, Unnikrishnan Potti, who funded the electroplating, it has also been revealed that former TDB president, N Vasu and three officials who were in charge at Sabarimala in 2019 have been arrested in the case.

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