A Special Investigation Team (SIT), which is investigating the alleged loss of gold from artefacts at the Sabarimala temple, reached the hill shrine on Thursday to collect fresh samples for scientific testing.
The team, headed by Superintendent of Police S Sasidharan, arrived at Pampa, the base camp of Sabarimala, in the morning and proceeded to Sannidhanam by the afternoon, officials said. The team had decided to gather fresh samples after the Kerala High Court granted permission for it on Monday.
According to police sources, the Sabarimala temple will open for the monthly 'puja' at 5 pm on Thursday and remain open until February 17, closing at 10 pm. Sources said the SIT is likely to begin sample collection after the temple closes for the day, following the completion of the scheduled 'pujas' at Sannidhanam.
Officials said the SIT will be assisted by experts from the Legal Metrology Department, forensic laboratories, and skilled artisans to carefully remove the gold-plated coverings of artefacts in the Sreekovil and its pillars. The SIT is investigating two cases related to the alleged loss of gold from the Dwarapalaka (guardian deity) idol plates and the doorframes of the Sreekovil (sanctum sanctorum).
Earlier, the SIT told the Kerala High Court that advanced scientific analysis was essential to accurately determine the extent of material changes, the nature of metallurgical alterations, and the quantity of gold that was originally present and later removed.
The team proposed conducting X-ray Fluorescence Spectroscopy (XRF) to identify surface elements, Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) to detect trace impurities and element profiles, and Optical Emission Spectroscopy (OES) to study alloy composition and metal consistency.
The SIT also informed the court that it had approached leading national research institutions and laboratories, such as Bhabha Atomic Research Centre in Mumbai, the National Metallurgical Laboratory in Jamshedpur, and the Defence Metallurgical Research Laboratory in Hyderabad, to carry out the specialised tests.
Earlier, similar samples were collected and sent to the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre for analysis last year, but the required facilities were not available there.
While granting permission, the Kerala High Court observed that allegations involving the removal and replacement of gold cladding at the holy shrine directly affect the sanctity of the temple and cannot rely only on witness statements or documents, which may be incomplete or open to manipulation.
The court said it was convinced that detailed forensic and metallurgical examination was absolutely necessary and that the results would form the foundation of the prosecution’s case. The court directed the SIT to submit a report on February 19, detailing the samples collected from the Sabarimala temple and the agencies where they were sent for scientific analysis.
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