SIT Inspects Gold-Plated Structures at Sannidhanam After Temple Opens for June Pujas
PATHANAMTHITTA: The Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the alleged gold theft case at Sabarimala on Sunday conducted a fresh inspection at Sannidhanam with the assistance of experts, following special permission granted by the High Court.
The inspection coincided with the reopening of the temple for the Mithunam monthly poojas and is considered the final phase of the on-site examination in the case. The SIT, led by investigating officer and DySP S. Sasidharan, carried out the exercise in the presence of specialists to ensure greater scientific accuracy in the collection and assessment of evidence.
The fresh examination was ordered after concerns were raised that experts had not been present during an earlier round of sample collection. Acting on the High Court's directives, the team returned to conduct detailed inspections of the temple's gold-plated structures.(sabarimalauptodate.in)
The SIT first began examining the Prabhamandalam (halo panel) after the arrival of the Thiruvabharanam Commissioner. Sections of the gold-plated structure were carefully dismantled and shifted to a specially prepared room within the temple premises for detailed examination. Officials said the removed components would undergo weight measurements and other scientific assessments.
The team also inspected the lower portion of the gold-plated Kattalappadi structure after removing portions of the gold sheets. Sources indicated that no fresh samples would be collected during this phase of the investigation. Instead, the focus would be on conducting on-site examinations of the dismantled components in the presence of experts, in accordance with the High Court's directions.(sabarimalauptodate.in)
The inspection commenced soon after the temple opened at around 5 pm on 14 June,
The Sabarimala temple, which opened for the Mithunam monthly poojas, will remain open to devotees until Friday night.
The SIT's findings from the final inspection are expected to play a crucial role in determining the extent of the alleged gold loss from the temple's structures and advancing the ongoing investigation.