Sabarimala gold theft case: Chargesheet likely in May after election results
Kochi: The charge sheet in the high-profile Sabarimala gold theft case is likely to be filed only in May, after the declaration of election results.
The Special Investigation Team (SIT) informed the Kerala High Court that investigating officer S. Sasidharan, currently serving as Superintendent of Police, reported that the National Metallurgical Laboratory has indicated that detailed test results of metal samples collected from Sannidhanam will be available only by the end of April. In light of this, the court granted time until May 18 to complete the investigation.
The Devaswom bench, comprising Justices V. Raja Vijayaraghavan and K. V. Jayakumar, observed that the SIT probe is progressing systematically and in the right direction. The bench noted that a comprehensive report would not be possible without the scientific analysis results.
So far, the SIT has examined 358 witnesses. Investigations have extended across multiple locations, including temples in Karnataka such as Mahalaxmi Layout, Mundotty Palayam, Sriramapuram, Gauribidanur, Bellary, Hongasandra, and Vyalikaval, as well as in Madanapalle and Anantapur.
Parallel inquiries are also underway into the gold plating of the Dwarpalaka idols carried out in 2025, with 20 witnesses questioned in that aspect of the case.
Meanwhile, the High Court permitted the Vigilance department to close its probe into alleged irregularities linked to the reinstallation of the Sabarimala flagpole in 2017. The preliminary investigation conducted by the Thiruvananthapuram Vigilance Special Unit found no evidence of malpractice. The court accepted the report, bringing relief to UDF members, including Ajay Tharayil, who was part of the Travancore Devaswom Board at the time.
Although allegations had been raised regarding discrepancies in the gold donated by devotees for the flagpole, the vigilance report concluded that there was no criminal misconduct or breach of trust. While the Devaswom Mahazar recorded 412 grams of gold donations, the investigation found the actual quantity to be 300 grams. Taking this into account, the court approved the closure of the case.