SIT Begins Scientific Tests at Sabarimala to Investigate 2019 Gold Theft

The Special Investigation Team (SIT) tasked with unraveling the mysterious disappearance of gold from the revered Sabarimala temple made its way to the sacred hill shrine on Sunday, marking a pivotal phase in the ongoing probe into the 2019 incident. Under the leadership of DySP S Sasidharan, who serves as the primary investigation officer, the team arrived at Pampa base camp early in the morning and is set to initiate the court-mandated scientific tests after 1pm on Monday, strictly following the performance of Deva Anujna rituals to obtain divine sanction before any physical intervention with the holy artifacts.

In compliance with explicit directives from the Kerala High Court, the examination will be a collaborative effort involving not only police personnel but also specialized forensic experts and chemical analysts equipped to handle delicate religious items. The process entails precise weighing of the dwarapalaka guardian deity idols along with the adjacent side pillar plates, accurate measurement of their surface areas, and careful extraction of samples from the gold cladding layers as well as copper components embedded in the idol plates and surrounding door frames, all aimed at establishing factual data on the alleged gold depletion.

These meticulously collected samples will subsequently be subjected to a battery of sophisticated laboratory analyses, including tests for electrical conductivity, spectroscopic evaluation to determine material composition, and detailed microstructure scrutiny to assess the purity, quality, and thickness of the gold plating. Although the SIT had initially targeted November 15 for completion to avoid clashing with the impending pilgrimage season, the thanthri, or chief priest, insisted on postponing until after the essential Deva Anujna ceremonies, a decision that underscores the temple's unwavering commitment to spiritual protocols even amid a criminal investigation.

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With the entire team encamped at Sannidhanam to ensure all procedures are finalized within Monday itself, this forensic endeavor represents the SIT's determined response to their recent court application seeking authorization for such intrusive yet evidence-critical examinations. The outcome holds the potential to deliver irrefutable proof regarding the quantity of missing gold from devotee offerings, potentially exposing lapses in temple administration and security measures that have long fueled public speculation and devotee outrage.

As the annual Sabarimala pilgrimage season approaches, drawing millions of Ayyappa devotees from across India and beyond, this unprecedented fusion of cutting-edge forensic science with ancient religious traditions highlights the complexities of investigating theft within one of Kerala's most iconic and spiritually significant sites, promising closure to a case that has lingered as a blemish on the temple's sanctity.

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