Kerala High Court Permits SIT To Dismantle Prabhamandalam Plates & Collect Samples In Sabrimala Gold Heist Case

The High Court, on May 18, 2026, had granted a period of two weeks to the Special Investigation Team after noting that the complicity and involvement of the various persons connected with the removal of the gold-clad copper plates of the Dwarapalakas during September 2025 could be properly determined and the culpability of the persons concerned fixed.

The Division Bench of Justice Raja Vijayaraghavan V and Justice K. V. Jayakumar held, “Having considered the report and the present stage of the investigation, we are satisfied that the request is justified. Accordingly, we grant permission to the Special Investigation Team to dismantle the Prabhamandalam plates and the upper-side door frame plate, collect samples therefrom with the assistance of experts, and forward the same to the laboratory for analysis, so that the truth of the matter may be fully and conclusively ascertained.”

Senior Govt Pleader S.Rajmohan represented the Respondent.

Reasoning

On a perusal of the comprehensive report submitted by the National Metallurgical Laboratory, the Bench found that it would go a long way in identifying the manner in which the pilferage of gold was carried out at Sannidhanam. The Bench noted that it was further stated therein that the SIT has been able to collect details relating to the copper plates purchased in 1998, and certain further investigations were required to be conducted in Chennai for verification of these aspects. The Bench further found from the report that the Prabhamandalam plates and the upper-side door frame plate could not be dismantled and examined owing to difficulties raised by the skilled labourers engaged for the dismantling work.

A request was made to permit the SIT to dismantle the Prabhamandalam plates and the upper-side door frame plate and to collect samples therefrom with the assistance of experts. The Bench thus granted permission to the Special Investigation Team to carry out the same.

It was further pointed out that Inspector of Police, Anish P.B., had applied for deputation to the Cabinet Secretariat as Field Officer (GD) in the year 2024 and was now selected for the said post. The State Police Chief and Director General of Police, Kerala, had agreed to relieve Anish P.B. to enable him to join as a Field Officer in the Cabinet Secretariat. Considering the Special Report and the circumstances brought to notice, the Bench granted permission to relieve Anish P.B. from the Special Investigation Team, so as to enable him to assume the post of Field Officer in the Cabinet Secretariat.

The matter has now been posted on June 18, 2026.

On January 19, 2026, the Kerala High Court held that a detailed enquiry into the idols at Sabarimala had become inevitable, and additional witnesses were required to be examined.

On February 9, 2026, the High Court had directed advanced scientific and metallurgical examination of gold-plated temple structures at Sabarimala as part of a court-monitored investigation into allegations of removal and substitution of original gold cladding in connection with the installation of a new Temple Flag Mast in 2017.

Cause Title: Suo Motu as Per the Order Dated 21.10.2025 in Sscr 23/2025 Regarding The Heist and Plundering of Gold From the Gold-cladded Dwarapalakas Placed on Either Side of the Sreekovil, Sabarimala (Case No.:WP(C) NO. 40608 OF 2025(A)

Appearance

Respondent: Senior Govt Pleader S.Rajmohan, Senior Advocate S. Sreekumar, Standing Counsel G.Biju

Click here to read/download Order