The Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the alleged theft of gold from the Sabarimala temple has completed its investigation into the doorframes case, the Kerala High Court was told during an in-camera hearing on Monday, October 26. SIT head Sasidharan IPS informed the court that the probe in the doorframes case, Crime No. 3701 of 2025, has concluded.

Source: Bar and Bench

The final report, however, has not yet been filed. The SIT said it had prepared a factual report and a draft chargesheet, but had not sought prosecution sanction under Section 19(1)(c) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, which is required before the chargesheet can be filed, because it was waiting for the opinion of the Assistant Legal Advisor. The court was told the advisor has not yet assumed charge despite being appointed.

Source: Live Law

3701 of 2025Crime number of the completed doorframes case
3700 of 2025Crime number of the separate Dwarapalaka idols case
November 10Date the case is next posted for further consideration

Court directs authorities to expedite sanction process

Director General of Prosecution T. Asaf Ali assured the court that steps would be taken to ensure the Assistant Legal Advisor assumes charge and provides the necessary legal opinion without further delay. The Division Bench of Justice Raja Vijayaraghavan V. and Justice K.V. Jayakumar, hearing the suo motu petition, directed the concerned authorities to take all necessary steps to expedite the matter, ensure the requisite legal advice is obtained without delay, and place the request for prosecution sanction before the competent authority. Upon sanction, the SIT must submit its final report before the jurisdictional court without delay.

Source: Live Law

The court also directed the SIT to complete the investigation in the separate case concerning the Dwarapalaka idols, Crime No. 3700 of 2025, within the timelines fixed in its earlier order, and to seek prosecution sanction in that case as well. On October 7, the court had set timelines for the SIT to request prosecution sanction and place the final reports, after perusing the draft chargesheet and noting that sanction is required because offences under the Prevention of Corruption Act are alleged.

Source: Bar and Bench

How the alleged theft came to light

The case arose after allegations surfaced regarding misappropriation of gold from the Dwarapalakas, donated by a devotee along with gold coverings over the sides and roof of the Sreekovil in 1999. In 2019, the gold coverings were removed and taken to Chennai for repair work, but records prepared by the Travancore Devaswom Board at the time described the plates as copper sheets and not gold-plated copper plates. The alleged theft came to light after several kilograms of gold were found to be missing when the plates were measured after the repair work. In 2025, after the special commissioner alerted the court about the removal of the gold-clad plates, the court initiated suo motu proceedings and formed the SIT. The allegations are yet to be tested in court.

Source: Bar and Bench