Kerala High Court Orders Fresh Scientific Test of Sabarimala Gold-Coated Plates, Expands Probe
The Kerala High Court on Monday (February 9) ordered a fresh scientific examination of gold-coated plates at the Sabarimala Sree Ayyappa Temple and a vigilance probe into the reconstruction of the temple flagstaff, widening the scope of the ongoing Sabarimala gold theft case. The latest directions come as investigators seek to confirm the actual quantity of gold used, check whether any alterations were made, and verify details related to past donations for temple works.
the High Court issued the order for a new scientific analysis based on a request from the Special Investigation Team (SIT), which is probing the case. The court agreed that further testing was necessary because earlier findings did not provide clear answers on key technical questions.
According to the order, fresh samples of the gold-coated plates will be collected and sent to the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) in Mumbai for detailed examination. Earlier tests had been conducted by the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC). That report was first submitted before the Kollam Vigilance Court and later reviewed by the High Court. However, the court observed that the VSSC report contained unclear findings and did not conclusively address several important issues.
The new scientific test is expected to determine whether the plates were tampered with or replaced and to establish the exact quantity of gold present in them. Officials say this data will be crucial scientific evidence for the ongoing investigation.
The High Court observed that allegations involving removal or substitution of precious gold cladding from temple structures strike at the sanctity of the shrine. It emphasized that scientific analysis is necessary to quantify material loss, identify methods of manipulation, establish timelines of alteration, and fix criminal liability precisely.
The High Court clarified that the latest direction is an interim order. the court permitted the collection of representative samples from the Sannidhanam under controlled and documented conditions on February 12. The SIT plans to carry out advanced scientific examinations — including X-Ray Fluorescence Spectroscopy, Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry, and Optical Emission Spectroscopy — to compare original gold-clad layers with later gold-plated surfaces on idols and door frames.
Since such advanced testing facilities are not available at the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre or forensic labs in Kerala, the SIT has approached national institutions such as the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre in Mumbai, the National Metallurgical Laboratory in Jamshedpur, and the Defence Metallurgical Research Laboratory in Hyderabad.
A Division Bench of Justice Raja Vijayaraghavan V. and Justice K.V. Jayakumar passed the interim order after examining an initial report from the SIT about complaints of gold and cash misuse linked to the 2017 flagstaff replacement.
The case will be considered again on the 19th February.