Sabarimala Gold Donation Probe: Vigilance Finds No Evidence of Misappropriation
The vigilance team investigating allegations related to the installation of a new temple flag mast at Sabarimala in 2017 has submitted a preliminary inquiry report to the Kerala High Court, stating there was no material to indicate any misappropriation or criminal breach of trust concerning gold donated by devotees.
Court Accepts Report and Closes Proceedings
Accepting the report, a bench comprising Justices V Raja Vijayaraghavan and K V Jayakumar granted permission for the vigilance team to close further proceedings in the matter. Earlier, the High Court had directed the vigilance and anti-corruption bureau director to conduct a preliminary inquiry to ascertain whether any misappropriation or criminal acts disclosing cognizable offenses had been committed.
Detailed Findings on Gold Donations
The report reveals that, according to temple records, a total of 412.010 grams of gold was shown as having been received from devotees for use on the flag mast at Sabarimala. However, the vigilance team contacted the individuals named in the records and found that the cumulative quantity of gold actually donated by them was 300 grams. Based on the preliminary inquiry and the documentary as well as oral evidence collected, it was conclusively determined that there was no material to suggest any criminal misappropriation in respect of the gold donated by devotees.
Separate SIT Probe Deadline Extended
In a related development, the High Court also extended the time granted to the Special Investigation Team (SIT) to conclude its investigation and file the final report into the alleged gold heist at the Sabarimala temple. The deadline has been moved from March 31 to May 18.
The court issued this direction after noting that the laboratory report from the National Metallurgical Laboratory (CSIR-NML) in Jamshedpur, concerning the gold-clad copper plate coverings of the sreekovil, would be received only by the last week of April.
Ongoing SIT Investigation Progress
S Sasidharan, the investigating officer of the SIT, appeared before the High Court on Thursday and submitted a progress report on the ongoing investigation. It was informed that on February 12 and 13, the SIT, comprising officers from the Forensic Science Laboratory, Legal Metrology Gold Assaying and Testing Laboratory, the Department of Photography, and members of Is Going Online Systems Technologies, had collected samples from the untouched corner pillar plate, gold-plated side pillar plates, and dwarapalaka idol plates with the assistance of experts for scientific analysis.
The collected samples were subsequently forwarded to the National Metallurgical Laboratory (CSIR-NML) in Jamshedpur for detailed analysis. Accordingly, the High Court adjourned the matter to May 18 for further consideration, allowing time for the laboratory results to be incorporated into the final report.
