Kerala HC Sets June 29 Deadline for SIT Report in Sabarimala Gold Loss Probe

The Kerala High Court on Thursday directed the Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the alleged Sabarimala gold loss cases to submit a comprehensive report by June 29 , detailing the involvement of all accused persons and specifying a timeline for filing the final chargesheet.

A division bench comprising Justices Raja Vijayaraghavan V and K V Jayakumar said adequate time had already been granted for the investigation and stressed that the proceedings could not be allowed to continue indefinitely.

The court instructed the SIT to place before it a detailed report outlining the alleged involvement of individuals connected to the removal and transportation of the Dwarapalaka (guardian deity) idols and plates for gold-plating in 2025, the role played by officials and employees concerned, and the expected timeframe for submitting the final report before the jurisdictional court.

Emphasising the need for urgency, the bench said the investigation must proceed with the " utmost diligence and seriousness " and be concluded without further undue delay. "The interests of justice demand that the investigation be concluded within a reasonable timeframe and with due expedition," the court observed.

During the hearing, the SIT informed the court that it was examining the possibility of a criminal conspiracy and investigating the wider circumstances surrounding the transaction. Investigators are also scrutinising the role of certain Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) officials who held key positions at the Sabarimala temple when the idols and plates were transported to Chennai for gold-plating.

The court noted that findings from the National Metallurgical Laboratory's analysis of gold samples had shifted the focus of the probe towards transactions linked to the gold-plating of the Dwarapalaka idols in 2025.

According to the SIT, records seized during the investigation reveal a clear sequence of events leading to the removal of the idols from the Sannidhanam, and substantial evidence has been gathered indicating the involvement of the accused persons.

The SIT, constituted under High Court directions, is investigating two cases concerning the alleged loss of gold from the Dwarapalaka idols and the door frames of the Sreekovil (sanctum sanctorum) at the Sabarimala temple.