The Kerala High Court has permitted the inclusion of two more Circle Inspector–rank officers in the SIT probing the alleged removal of gold from Sabarimala temple idols and structures. The Court said the expansion was needed due to the complexity and sensitive nature of the investigation and will review progress on January 14, 2026.
The Kerala High Court on Tuesday allowed the Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the alleged removal of gold from idols and structures at the Sabarimala temple to include two more police officers, considering the seriousness and complexity of the case.
The order was passed by a Vacation Bench comprising Justice Ziyad Rahman AA and Justice MB Snehalatha after examining a report submitted by the head of the SIT.
In the report, the SIT sought permission to induct two additional officers of the rank of Circle Inspector (CI), stating that the investigation involved complex issues, a wide scope, and technical aspects that required more manpower.
After going through the report, the High Court observed that the request was justified and granted approval for expanding the investigation team.
The Court noted that the SIT had earlier been constituted by the High Court itself by exercising its extraordinary jurisdiction under Article 226 of the Constitution, in suo motu proceedings that were initiated based on a report submitted by a Court-appointed Special Commissioner.
The Commissioner’s report had pointed out serious irregularities in the handling of gold-coated copper sheets fixed on the Dwarapalaka idols and the Peedam on which the idols were installed at the Sabarimala shrine, located in Pathanamthitta district of Kerala.
According to the report, the removal of these gold-clad coverings was allegedly done without informing the High Court or obtaining its permission, which raised serious concerns regarding procedure, accountability, and custody of temple assets.
The report further stated that the alleged actions required examination not only from the angle of criminal breach of trust and theft, which may attract provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, corresponding to Sections 378 and 409 of the erstwhile Indian Penal Code, but also with respect to possible violations of laws governing Devaswom administration.
The matter also involves questions of fiduciary responsibility in the management and protection of assets belonging to a major public religious institution.
Earlier, the High Court had granted the SIT an additional six weeks to complete the investigation after being informed that scientific and forensic examinations had already begun.
These examinations were ordered by the Court to determine whether there was any loss of gold, substitution of materials, or tampering with the sacred objects.
The Court had also observed that investigations related to public temples and religious institutions functioning under statutory supervision require a very high level of procedural care and transparency.
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It noted that continued judicial supervision of SIT investigations in sensitive matters such as this helps in strengthening public confidence in the fairness and credibility of the investigative process.
The Vacation Bench has now listed the matter for further hearing on January 14, 2026. On the next date, the High Court is expected to review the progress made by the SIT and examine whether its earlier directions, including those relating to forensic and scientific analysis, have been properly complied with.
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