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Thiruvananthapuram, Nov 16 (IANS) In a significant step in the investigation into the alleged disappearance of gold from the Sabarimala temple, the Special Investigation Team (SIT) reached the hill shrine in preparation for a comprehensive scientific investigation to be conducted on Monday afternoon.
Police officials said the inspection began after 1 pm on Sunday after the mandatory Devanujana (divine permission) ritual.
Investigating officer, DSP S. The SIT team led by Sasidharan reached Pampa on Sunday morning and later left for Sannidhanam, where they will be deployed till the process is completed.
Forensic experts, including chemical analysts and technical experts, will be involved in the operation to ensure that the examination is conducted as per the directions of the Kerala High Court.
A scientific test was proposed in 2019 after concerns emerged regarding the loss of gold from the temple’s Dvarapalaka (guardian deity) idols.
To find out the extent of the alleged lapse, the SIT recently approached the Kerala High Court and sought permission to conduct a detailed forensic assessment.
Responding to the request, the court issued specific directions.
It instructed investigators to weigh the Dvarapalaka statue plates and side pillar plates, take measurements of their surface areas, and collect samples of the gold coverings.
These samples will be analyzed to determine purity, thickness and overall quality. The court directed the team to collect samples of copper from the dvarapalaka plates and door frames to enable comparative studies.
The analysis will include advanced scientific techniques such as spectroscopic examination, electrical conductivity testing and microstructural evaluation to detect any possible variations in the structure.
These methods are expected to help establish whether the gold layers were tampered with, removed or replaced.
The SIT had initially planned to complete the scientific tests on November 15, before the start of the annual Mandala-Makaravilakku pilgrimage season.
However, the Thanthari (chief priest) advised that any examination of the temple structures or deities should be done only after completing the Devaanujana ritual.
Subsequently, the High Court modified its earlier direction and ordered that the process would be carried out only after the high puja and closure of the temple at 1 pm on Monday.
With scheduled divine rituals and expert team, the SIT is expected to complete the entire scientific investigation in a single session on Monday, marking an important milestone in the ongoing investigation into the missing temple gold.
–IANS
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