Sabarimala gold theft: SIT’s sample collection in Sannidhanam to continue today

PATHANAMTHITTA: The Special Investigation Team (SIT) will collect samples from the sanctum sanctorum on Friday for further scientific analysis in the Sabarimala gold theft. The team led by SP S Sasidharan is continuing at Sannidhanam. The collection of samples from Sannidhanam began last evening. The collection of samples from the gold sheets began after the temple was opened for the monthly pooja of Kumbam.

The team first removed the gold-plated sheets of the pillars behind the sanctum sanctorum. They then moved on to Dwarapalaka idols. It has been decided to collect samples from the remaining parts today. The gold assessment section of the legal metrology is also with the special investigation team. The aim of the examination is to clarify the quantity and age of the lost gold. The samples will be sent to the Bhabha Atomic Research Center for examination. A charge sheet will be filed after detailed evidence collection. The high court gave permission for further examination after the previous examination could not reveal the extent of the fraud.

Meantime, the high court has ordered an investigation into the money transactions of employees over Sabarimala. The special investigation team had reported that the transactions of employees who worked in Sabarimala during the last Mandala-Makaravilakku period were suspicious. It was found that more than Rs 14 lakhs were transferred through the post office alone in a short period of time. The high court directed the devaswom vigilance to collect the details of all the employees who worked at the Sannidhanam during the Mandala period and submit a report within three weeks.