Sabarimala gold theft case: SIT to submit scientific test results in court today

KOCHI: The Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the Sabarimala gold theft case will submit its final progress report in court today. The SIT is also expected to inform the court about the results of the scientific tests conducted at a laboratory in Jamshedpur. The test results are expected to clarify whether any irregularities had occurred during the gold-plating work carried out at Sabarimala under the Travancore Devaswom Board administration led by P.S. Prasanth last year. The case is widely believed to have contributed to the LDF's setback in the Assembly elections.

Samples related to the case were sent for examination four months ago, and the findings are considered crucial to the investigation. According to indications, the original gold plates were not replaced. Instead, investigators believe that only the layer of gold coated over the plates was removed. The SIT has reportedly received key findings confirming this conclusion. The scientific examination has also helped determine the approximate quantity of gold that went missing.

With the test results now available, the SIT is expected to file the charge sheet soon. The delay in receiving the laboratory report was one of the main reasons for the delay in filing the charge sheet. Investigators say the report is essential to accurately determine how much gold was lost from Sabarimala. The SIT is also expected to inform the court about the timeline for submitting the charge sheet in the case.