Sabarimala Gold Loss Probe: SIT Assures Kerala HC of Chargesheet by September 25

The Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the alleged gold loss at Sabarimala on Thursday informed the Kerala High Court that the chargesheet in one of the two cases will be filed on or before September 25.

The matter came up before a division bench comprising Justices R A Raja Vijay Raghavan and K V Jayakumar. SIT head S Sasidharan appeared before the court and briefed the bench on the progress of the investigation.

The SIT is investigating two separate cases involving the alleged loss of gold from the Dwarapalaka (guardian deity) idol and the doorframes of the Sreekovil (sanctum sanctorum) at the Sabarimala temple.

According to the SIT, the investigation into the alleged gold loss from the Sreekovil doorframes is almost complete. Investigators are awaiting the results of scientific examinations of the stripping salt and cleaning salt involved in both cases. The samples have been sent to the National Metallurgical Laboratory, with the results expected within two weeks.

The SIT told the court that it was hopeful of completing the remaining formalities and filing the final report before the jurisdictional court. The agency also assured the bench that there would be no further delay in concluding the investigation.

In the Dwarapalaka idol case, however, the SIT said some additional steps were required because the investigation into events that occurred in 2025 had also been clubbed with the case.

After considering the SIT's detailed report, the High Court observed that the investigation had progressed substantially and directed the agency to complete the remaining steps expeditiously.

The court specifically instructed the SIT to expedite the Dwarapalaka case investigation and file the final report at the earliest. It also directed the agency to submit the chargesheet in the doorframe case by September 25, bringing the long-running investigation closer to its conclusion.