The Kerala High Court noted on Monday that the special investigation team (SIT) looking into the Sabarimala gold theft case has gotten crucial documents related to the gold cladding that the UB Group completed in 1998.
Kerala High Court SIT Reviews Progress in Sabarimala Gold Theft Case
Additionally, the SIT told the court that 181 witness testimonies had been recorded as of right now. In the meanwhile, the court gave the team an additional six weeks to finish the investigation. The court expressed its pleasure after seeing the SIT report and noted that the investigation was being conducted in a comprehensive and professional way, covering every possible angle.
Scope and Timeline of the Sabarimala Temple Gold Probe
The SIT noted that the circumstances leading up to the two offenses’ registration had place between 1998, when the UB Group first completed the gold cladding, and September 2025, when Smart Creations received the dwarapalaka sculptures for gold plating. There are four different stages to the study. The first stage has to do with the gold coating of numerous ornaments and artifacts in and around the Sabarimala temple’s sanctum sanctorum.
The second step involves replacing the sreekovil’s original gold-clad door with a new one that has been gold-plated in 2019. The removal of the gold-clad dwarapalaka idol plates, side plates, and door-frame plates in 2019 is the subject of the third phase.
🛕 Sabarimala Gold Cladding Timeline
- 1998: UB Group completed original gold cladding
- 2019: Gold-clad sreekovil door replaced
- 2019: Removal of dwarapalaka idol plates and side plates
- 2025: Gold plating transactions involving Smart Creations
- Focus: Dwarapalaka gold cladding and related artifacts
Four Phases Identified by the Kerala High Court SIT
According to the SIT, all transactions pertaining to the gold plating of the Dwarapalaka idol plates in 2025 fall within the fourth phase. The court noted that it cannot be assumed that the remaining stages would go unnoticed only because the SIT has so far concentrated on the transactions that are the subject of two distinct proceedings filed in this respect.
As a result, the court ordered the SIT to carry out the probe methodically and courageously, unaffected by outside influences or irrelevant factors.
Scientific Examination and Financial Scrutiny
In order to determine if the accused have assets that are out of proportion to their known sources of income, the SIT has also gathered documentation. In order to determine the exact amount of gold utilized for cladding in 1998 and if the original gold-clad plates were replaced with freshly gold-plated ones, samples have been taken from the original plates at Sannidhanam. The samples are undergoing scientific testing at the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC).
⚠️ Kerala Temple Investigation: Evidence & Pressure
- Forensic Action: Accused’s cell phones sent for analysis
- Financial Checks: Bank accounts examined for irregularities
- Verification: Signature and handwriting comparison conducted
- External Probe: Investigations carried out outside the state
- Concern: Pressure from speculative media narratives
Concerns Over Media Reporting and Investigation Integrity
“The accused’s cell phones have been confiscated and sent for forensic analysis. Information on bank accounts connected to questionable financial activity has been gathered and examined. Additionally, steps have been made to match the signatures and handwriting in the contested papers with approved specimens.
The investigative team said that “serious attempts have been made to determine how and where the gold-clad plates were removed.” The SIT also revealed that in order to get all relevant and feasible evidence, it has carried out investigations outside of the state.
Additionally, the SIT said that it is being unfairly pressured by false, speculative, and baseless claims that are broadcast on social media and in certain major media outlets. It said that several narratives seem to have been purposefully constructed, making unfounded accusations against the investigating officers for the sake of sensationalism and publicity, regardless of the factual matrix or the investigation’s advancement.
The court said, “The truth can only be uncovered via care, impartiality, and proper process rather than hurry or sensationalism,” noting that such reporting, especially in cases under active judicial supervision, has the potential to compromise the integrity of the investigation. Such an inquiry cannot be limited to guesswork, supposition, or public opinion influenced by insufficient information.
