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The Kerala High Court has observed that the theft of the gold plates at Lord Ayaappa’s sanctum in the Sabarimala Temple was a planned heist to systematically
remove Devaswom assets. The observation was made by a division bench of Justices Raja Vijayaraghavan V and K V Jayakumar after perusing the investigation progress report filed by the Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing two cases related to the alleged loss of gold from the Ayyappa temple. The SIT had submitted a scientific analysis report conducted by Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC) in the theft case in the High Court on Monday, suggesting that more arrests are likely to be made in the case. Meanwhile, the court has granted permission to the SIT to conduct a fresh inspection on January 20 (today, that is underway), including measurement and examination of the door plates. It directed that detailed statements be recorded from the officials of the VSSC who conducted the scientific examination.
The court noted that the VSSC inspection report is highly technical in nature and that greater clarity is required on the issue. For this purpose, it directed that further clarification be obtained from the officials who conducted the inspection.
The bench further instructed that more scientific tests should be carried out and the officials’ statements recorded to arrive at clear conclusions on whether the gold foils were tampered with or replaced.
The High Court described the SIT findings on record as serious and alarming, stating that they indicate a planned misappropriation of Devaswom properties. After the court’s direction, the SIT has begun its fresh inspection and is likely to continue it for 2-3 days.
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What is Sabarimala Gold Theft Case?
The Sabarimala gold theft case concerns allegations of the misappropriation of approximately 4.54 kilograms of gold from sacred temple artefacts, including the Sreekovil (sanctum sanctorum) door frames and Dwarapalaka idols. The theft allegedly occurred in 2019 under the pretext of refinishing and re-gold-plating temple structures.
The controversy traces its origins to a 1998 donation by industrialist Vijay Mallya, who had gifted 30.3 kilograms of gold and 1,900 kilograms of copper for gold plating and cladding work at the Sabarimala Ayyappa temple.
Subsequent inspections and court-monitored inquiries revealed discrepancies between the donated gold and the quantity allegedly used.
Sabrimala Gold Theft Case Investigation Status
As directed earlier by the court, the SIT on Monday submitted a status report detailing the progress of the investigation.
The report said 11 persons have so far been arrested in connection with the two cases relating to the loss of gold from the Dwarapalaka (guardian deity) plates and the Sreekovil (sanctum sanctorum), while the involvement of three more persons is under active scrutiny.
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What Led Kerala HC To Observe Sabarimala Gold Theft Case Was Planned Heist?
The court observed that its apprehensions that gold-clad copper plates of the Dwarapalaka and door frames of the Sreekovil at the Sabarimala temple were replaced stood reinforced following a chemical analysis report.
The court also examined the analysis report of the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC), which had carried out a chemical examination of samples collected from various gold-clad plates.
“We have carefully perused the analysis report submitted by the investigation agency. The central focus of the investigation at this stage is to ascertain the precise quantum of gold originally cladded in the year 1998, the quantity of gold used for subsequent plating during the year 2019, and whether the original gold-cladded plates were removed and substituted with freshly plated components,” the court observed.
Noting that the VSSC report was highly technical in nature, the court said detailed statements would have to be recorded from scientists and technical experts of the centre.
However, it said the chemical analysis summary report had reinforced the apprehension earlier expressed by the court.
“The absence of nickel and acrylic polymer layers in the original gold-clad plates, the presence of nickel, the absence of mercury, and the presence of acrylic polymer layers in the subsequently plated copper plates, together with the comparative thickness of gold and nickel layers, clearly indicate a systematic and methodical process by which the alleged offence appears to be executed,” the court said.
It further observed that the analysis reports not only disclosed the manner and modus operandi of the alleged tampering and substitution, but also provided critical evidentiary pointers for correlating past transactions with subsequent activities.
“The analysis report, therefore, assumes central importance in the investigation as it sheds light on multiple technical and material aspects and furnishes a scientific basis for evaluating the transactions carried out during the years 2024 and 2025, identifying the chain of decision-making, fixing individual responsibility and criminal liability, and examining the existence of any organised or concerted action amounting to criminal conspiracy,” the bench said.
Taking note of the sensitive nature of the probe and the possibility of further arrests and recoveries, the court said it would refrain from disclosing additional particulars at this stage.
Court Directs SIT To Record Statements of Scientific Experts, Analysts, VSSC Officials
The HC bench directed the SIT to expeditiously record statements of scientific experts, analysts, and technical personnel of VSSC and to correlate the analytical findings with the physical and documentary evidence already seized.
The court also referred to the replacement of the new flag post (Kodimaram) in 2017 and noted that the Vajivahanam affixed to the old Kodimaram contained substantial gold on its outer surface, which was allegedly handed over to the Tantri (chief priest) Kandararu Rajeevaru, who has been arrested in the case.
The bench said materials placed before it disclosed suspicious and disturbing circumstances surrounding the transactions, warranting a deeper, more comprehensive, and exhaustive investigation in the light of the scientific findings and other consequential revelations.
“The investigation has, in effect, opened a hornet’s nest, bringing to light serious irregularities which had hitherto remained concealed and exposing several disturbing aspects that call for comprehensive and methodical scrutiny,” the court observed.
Replating of Gold-Clad Plates, Related Transaction Should Be Investigated, Says HC
The court directed that the replating of gold-clad plates carried out during 2024-2025 and related transactions should be thoroughly investigated.
It also directed the SIT to visit the Sabarimala temple on Tuesday (today) to measure the surface area of two doors presently kept in the storeroom for the purpose of calculating the quantum of gold cladded on the door frames.
“As the temple remains closed, permission is hereby granted to the SIT to collect samples from the gold-clad plates of the doors and to carry out necessary measurements and assessment for quantifying the gold content,” the court said.
The bench further permitted the SIT to record detailed statements of VSSC scientists and technical teams to determine the extent of gold allegedly misappropriated, allowed the inclusion of two more officers in the SIT, and posted the case to February 9, directing that a comprehensive status report be filed by then.
ED Conducts Fresh Raids in Gold Theft Case
The Enforcement Directorate, earlier today, carried out searches in three states as part of its money laundering investigation into the Sabarimala alleged gold loss case of Kerala, officials said.
About 21 locations across Kerala, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu are being raided under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), they said.
The premises linked to the main accused, Unnikrishnan Potti, in Bengaluru and former Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) president A Padmakumar in Kerala, apart from jewellers, were covered by the federal probe agency as part of the action.
The ED filed a PMLA case on January 9, taking cognisance of a clutch of Kerala police FIRs.
The politically sensitive case is already being investigated by a state Special Investigation Team (SIT) under the supervision of the Kerala High Court.
The next hearing in the case will be taken up on February 9.
With inputs from PTI
