The Kerala High Court on Monday said its earlier apprehensions about the alleged replacement of gold-clad copper plates from the Sreekovil (sanctum sanctorum) and the Dwarapalaka (guardian deity) at the famed Sabarimala temple stood “reinforced” after reviewing a chemical analysis report by the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC).
A Division Bench comprising Justices Raja Vijayaraghavan V and K V Jayakumar made these strong observations while hearing the Special Investigation Team’s (SIT) status report on the ongoing probe into suspected large-scale gold misappropriation from the Ayyappa temple.
The court noted that the VSSC’s scientific analysis of samples from the gold-clad plates revealed significant discrepancies between the original plating (done in 1998) and subsequent plating (carried out in 2019 and during 2024–2025).
“The absence of nickel and acrylic polymer in the original cladding, contrasted with their presence in later samples, along with the differing gold and nickel thickness, clearly points to a methodical tampering process,” the court said.
The bench emphasised that these findings not only suggest tampering but also offer crucial leads in establishing criminal conspiracy and individual accountability.
So far, 11 individuals have been arrested, with three more under active investigation. The court noted the sensitive and potentially far-reaching implications of the case, saying it had “opened a hornet’s nest” and exposed disturbing irregularities that had remained hidden for years.
The materials produced before the court also referred to the 2017 replacement of the temple’s Kodimaram (flagpost) and the gold affixed to its Vajivahanam (finial), which was allegedly handed over to the temple’s Tantri (chief priest), Kandararu Rajeevaru — now under arrest.
Considering the highly technical nature of the VSSC’s findings, the court directed the SIT to expeditiously record the statements of scientists and analysts involved in the examination.
“The chemical analysis assumes central importance in the investigation,” the bench observed, stating it would help quantify the gold misappropriated and trace the chain of decision-making and approvals behind the replating works.
- The court allowed the SIT to visit Sabarimala temple on Tuesday to measure the surface area of the two gold-clad doors currently kept in storage.
- Permission was granted to collect further samples from the doors, assess the gold content, and correlate findings with earlier plating transactions.
- The SIT was also permitted to induct two additional officers to assist in the complex probe.
- A fresh comprehensive status report has been ordered by February 9.
The two FIRs under investigation relate to the alleged loss and substitution of gold from the Dwarapalaka plates and the Sreekovil of the Sabarimala temple. Public concerns had been raised in recent years over possible tampering during renovation and re-plating exercises, particularly between 2019 and 2025.
The current investigation gained momentum after court-monitored progress reports and scientific testing pointed to substantial inconsistencies in the composition and thickness of the gold plates, indicating probable replacement of original gold with newly plated and lower-grade materials.
