Kerala High Court Orders Forensic Testing In Sabarimala Gold Plunder Probe, Directs Vigilance Enquiry Into Temple Flag Mast Gold Records

The Court further ordered an independent vigilance enquiry into alleged discrepancies in gold accounting connected with the installation of the Temple Flag Mast.

The Court was hearing a suo motu writ petition arising from allegations relating to the heist and plundering of gold from the gold-clad Dwarapalakas and allied structures at the Sabarimala temple.

A Division Bench comprising Justice Raja Vijayaraghavan V and Justice K.V. Jayakumar reviewed the status of the investigation being conducted by a Special Investigation Team (SIT), whose senior officers appeared before the Court and briefed it on progress made.

Background & Investigation Status

The SIT informed the Kerala High Court that 262 witnesses had been examined and their statements recorded. Efforts are underway to obtain historic call data records of certain accused persons, and forensic analysis of digital materials seized during the investigation is in progress.

Handwriting specimens and signatures of the accused have been forwarded for expert comparison, while scientific examination of the Dwarapalaka idols, which underwent gold plating in 2025, is ongoing to determine material alterations.

According to the SIT, the investigation spanned events from 1998 to 2025, structured into four phases.

The first phase secured documentary material establishing that the original gold cladding of the Sreekovil and related structures had been undertaken by a private entity.

The second phase concerned the 2019 replacement of the Sreekovil door with a gold-plated door.

The third phase focused on allegations that original gold cladding from the Dwarapalakas and allied plates was removed and replaced with thinner plating to conceal misappropriation. Substantial oral evidence has been collected in this regard.

Advanced Scientific Testing

To determine the extent and nature of any metallurgical manipulation, the SIT proposed specialised tests including X-Ray Fluorescence Spectroscopy, Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry, and Optical Emission Spectroscopy.

These techniques, the officers submitted, would enable elemental profiling, alloy comparison, and trace mapping to establish whether substitution or dilution of gold had occurred.

The Court accepted the submission that such evidence was essential. It observed that allegations involving the removal of precious gold from temple structures could not rest solely on testimonial or documentary material and required objective scientific verification capable of withstanding judicial scrutiny. The Bench noted that advanced metallurgical testing would allow precise determination of alteration, quantification of material loss, and correlation of timelines.

As the required facilities are unavailable within Kerala, the SIT proposed approaching national research institutions, including the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, National Metallurgical Laboratory, and Defence Metallurgical Research Laboratory. The Court granted permission to collect representative samples from the shrine under controlled conditions and directed the SIT to report on sampling and testing arrangements.

“We are therefore satisfied that such advanced forensic and metallurgical examination is absolutely essential, and the results thereof would constitute the bedrock upon which the prosecution case must rest so as to establish the allegations in a clear, cogent, and legally sustainable manner”, the Bench remarked.

Temple Flag Mast Issue

During the proceedings, the Court also considered a separate complaint alleging misappropriation of gold and cash in connection with the installation of a new Temple Flag Mast in 2017. Preliminary records placed before the Court indicated that gold purchased from Customs and donations from devotees were utilised for the project, but discrepancies existed in accounting and documentation.

The Court noted that while mahazars recorded entrustment of gold donations, individual sealed receipts mandated under Devaswom procedures were absent, making verification of donor contributions difficult. Officers submitted that this constituted a serious procedural lapse requiring detailed enquiry, including examination of donors and financial records.

“We are of the view that it may not be appropriate to entrust the investigation relating to the alleged misappropriation of gold connected with the Temple Flag Mast to the Special Investigation Team, which is presently engaged in investigating other serious offences pursuant to our earlier directions”, the Bench stated, while observing that “the matter requires an independent vigilance enquiry”.

Accordingly, the Court directed the Director, Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau, to conduct an independent preliminary enquiry. All relevant records relating to the Flag Mast installation are to be forwarded to the Vigilance Bureau, which must constitute a team to examine materials, record donor statements, and submit a report within 30 days.

Directions

The Court permitted the SIT to collect samples for scientific examination and directed listing of the matter for progress reporting. It further ordered that vigilance authorities undertake an independent enquiry into the Flag Mast gold accounting issue and submit findings to the Court.

The investigating officers were directed to remain personally present on the next hearing date. The matter has been listed again on February 19, 2026.

Cause Title: Suo Motu v. State of Kerala & Ors.

Appearances

Respondents: S Sreekumar, G Biju, Standing Counsels; Government Pleader

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