The Kerala High Court has directed the Special Investigation Team (SIT) investigating the alleged misappropriation of gold from Sabarimala temple artefacts to complete the chargesheets and initiate the process for obtaining prosecution sanctions within separate deadlines fixed for the two cases.
A division bench of Justice Raja Vijayaraghavan V and Justice KV Jayakumar on Wednesday granted the SIT time until October 25, 2026, in the case concerning gold allegedly misappropriated from the doorframes of the Sreekovil (sanctum sanctorum). The deadline for the separate case involving gold loss from the Dwarapalaka (guardian deity) idols has been fixed as November 25, 2026.
The court instructed the investigating agency to strictly comply with these timelines and complete the investigation without further delay.
SIT Cites 292 Witnesses in Sreekovil Case
During the hearing, the SIT submitted a draft chargesheet in the Sreekovil case, registered as Crime No. 3701 of 2025, citing 292 witnesses.
The investigating agency informed the court that the National Metallurgical Laboratory’s report on samples collected from the temple’s gold-plated artefacts was expected by October 12. It also stated that certified forensic findings concerning data analysis were still awaited.
The SIT requested an extension until October 25 to complete the chargesheet and initiate steps for obtaining prosecution sanction, as charges under the Prevention of Corruption Act have also been invoked against the accused.
After examining the draft chargesheet, the bench expressed satisfaction with the manner in which the investigation had progressed and accepted the SIT’s request for additional time.
Dwarapalaka Case Investigation Includes 2025 Transportation Events
In the second case, registered as Crime No. 3700 of 2025, the SIT informed the court that it had included the circumstances surrounding the transportation of the Dwarapalaka idols in 2025 as part of the investigation into the alleged gold misappropriation.
The agency submitted that the pending metallurgical examination report was necessary before it could complete the chargesheet.
Considering the scope of the investigation and the work already undertaken, the High Court allowed the SIT until November 25, 2026, to finalise the chargesheet and submit the necessary request for prosecution sanction.
More Than 15 Arrested in Two Cases
The two investigations concern allegations of gold being misappropriated from the Sreekovil doorframes and the Dwarapalaka idols at Sabarimala.
More than 15 individuals have been arrested in connection with the cases, including Tantri Kandararu Rajeevaru and three former presidents of the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB).
The High Court directed the SIT to take all necessary steps to meet the prescribed deadlines and ensure that the investigations reach their conclusion.
The matter has been listed for further hearing on October 26, 2026.
