Pilgrims waiting for darshan at the lower Thirumuttom Sabarimala Ayyappa temple on Wednesday. | Photo credit: LEJU KAMAL
The Kerala High Court has extended by six weeks the time frame it set for the Special Investigation Team (SIT) to complete its probe into the alleged gold embezzlement of the Sabarimala temple.
This was after a report submitted to the court on Wednesday by Sasidharan S, Superintendent of Police, who heads the investigation team. He also sought more time to complete the probe.
After examining the report, Justice Raja Vijayaraghavan V and Justice KV Jayakumar observed that considering the scope, seriousness and potential implications of the allegations being investigated, the time sought by the investigating officer is justified and deserves to be granted. After perusing the report, the bench expressed satisfaction with the manner in which it is currently being carried out. Keeping in view the sensitive nature, scope and ramifications of the investigation, the court said it felt it inappropriate at this stage to record any detailed reference to the specific steps taken by the investigating agency.
Although the necessary samples have been taken, analysis reports are awaited. The investigating officer said a forensic report is expected within a week. It further said that the investigation into the transactions of 2018 and 2019 related to the main door of Sreekovil and those related to transportation to Chennai for gilding of Dwarapalaks is still in its infancy, the court said.
The court further felt it necessary to direct that the investigation be conducted with utmost care, extra diligence and scrupulous adherence to all statutory requirements, leaving no aspect unattended or unexamined.
Should the investigating authority come across any previously unnoticed or undiscovered page, transaction or material circumstance during the course of the investigation, the court will be informed about it without delay by submitting the appropriate report. This direction has become necessary as the subject matter of the inquiry relates to valuables and property belonging to Ayyappa and it is the duty of this court to ensure that this sacred property is properly protected and secured, he added.
The matter was referred for hearing on 5 January 2026.
Published – 03 Dec 2025 20:32 IST
