Sabarimala gold theft case; SIT submits investigation progress report, accused list likely to be expanded

KOCHI: The Special Investigation Team (SIT) has submitted its investigation progress report in the Sabarimala gold theft case to the Kerala High Court. The plea is under the consideration of the high court. SP S Sasidharan, who is leading the SIT, appeared in the court. The report has also mentioned about the samples collected from the Prabhamandalam.

The Prabhamandalam, which is an arch-shaped gold-plated arch with a carved Lakshmi form above the door frame of the shrine, and the door frames on the northern side of the shrine were dismantled and examined by the SIT team in the presence of Devaswom Thiruvabharanam Commissioner R Rejilal. The inspection was carried out in the room near the office of the Sabarimala executive officer.

This was to determine the weight of the lost gold. After weighing and examining the Prabhamandalam, which was blackened by camphor smoke, it was cleaned and kept back as per the instructions of special commissioner R Jayakrishnan.

The SIT has submitted a report to the court in a sealed cover regarding which lab the samples collected from the door frames near the Prabhamandalam should be sent for testing. With no material evidence recovered, forensic findings are likely to play a crucial role in court’s decision. The court will take a decision on the amount of gold lost from Sabarimala after examining the SIT report. The court is also likely to take a decision today on expanding the list of accused in the gold theft case.