Kerala HC extends time for SIT probe into Sabarimala gold ‘irregularities’

Kochi, May 18 (PTI) The Kerala High Court on Tuesday granted the SIT two more weeks to complete its probe into the alleged misappropriation of gold from Sabarimala artefacts.
    A bench of Justices Raja Vijayaraghavan V and K V Jayakumar extended the time after the Special Investigation Team informed the court that it had not yet received a detailed report from the National Metallurgical Laboratory (NML), Jamshedpur, on around 36 gold samples collected from the artefacts for analysis.
    The SIT told the court that the sample analysis involves highly specialised tests that require considerable time for completion. It also submitted that the lab has indicated the final report is expected within 10 days.
    “It is only upon receipt of the said report that the investigating agency will be in a position to conclusively ascertain the exact nature and extent of gold plating on the gold-cladded plates, the quantity of gold involved, and whether any substitution or swapping of copper plates had taken place,” the bench noted.
    The court also observed that the SIT had submitted that only after receiving the report can the complicity of various persons involved in the removal of gold-clad copper plates from the Dwarapalaka (guardian deity) idols be determined.
    It further noted that the registration of fresh cases against those involved would also depend on the outcome of the report.
    “We are therefore satisfied that the report from the National Metallurgical Laboratory is indispensable for a complete understanding of the facts under investigation and for fixing liability,” the court said.
    “Having considered the SIT’s report and the nature of the ongoing investigation, we are inclined to grant a further period of two weeks to complete the exercise,” it added.
    The SIT, appointed by the High Court, is probing the alleged misappropriation of gold from the Dwarapalaka idols and the Sreekovil (sanctum sanctorum) door frames at Sabarimala.
    Earlier, due to the non-availability of the analysis report, the court had extended the SIT’s time till May 18 in its March 26 order.

(This story has not been edited by THE WEEK and is auto-generated from PTI)