Special team heading for more investigation in Sabarimala gold theft case

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: A Special team will continue the investigation into the Dwarapalaka sculpture case in Sabarimala. The investigation is into the transportation of gold ornaments from Sabarimala to Chennai in 2025. As part of this, former Travancore Devaswom Board president P.S. Prashanth and members Ajikumar and Santosh may be questioned again.

The removal of the Dwarapalaka layer and the Kattilapalli (gold-plated door frame) in 2025 was a repeat of what happened in 2019. When the colour faded, this was handed to Unnikrishnan Potty in 2019. It was taken in the same way in 2025. The initial conclusion is that no gold was lost during Prashanth's reign. However, this can only be confirmed by sampling all layers and testing them. The samples will be collected when the temple is opened for the Mithuna month puja. The scientific examination is being done at the National Metallurgical Laboratory in Jamshedpur.

Scientific testing revealed that the gold first plated at Sabarimala was extracted in 2019 and then plated in a smaller quantity. As further testing is being conducted, the filing of the charge sheet will be delayed.