Sabarimala gold theft case: SIT to dismantle and inspect temple's 'Prabhamandalam'

PATHANAMTHITTA: The Special Investigation Team (SIT) has continued its inspection at the Sabarimala shrine in connection with the gold theft case. The inspections began after the Sabarimala temple opened for the Mithuna Masam poojas. The SIT team is planning detailed examinations, including dismantling and checking the Prabhamandalam plates installed near the temple’s door frame. The inspections are being carried out with special permission from the High Court. The court had ordered the team to complete the examination within 10 days.

The gold sheets on the Prabhamandalam plates inside the sanctum sanctorum and the upper panels of the temple door will be removed, and samples will be sent for scientific testing. Investigating officer DySP S. Sasidharan had informed the court that examining these panels was necessary to determine the exact quantity of gold that was lost. Earlier, such inspections could not be carried out due to objections.

Scientific testing at the National Metallurgical Laboratory in Jamshedpur had previously confirmed that gold was extracted from metal plates at Chennai-based Smart Creations in 2019. The chemical substance allegedly used by the accused for the process, known as stripping salt, will also be examined scientifically. Officials said this test will be crucial in understanding how the gold was removed.