In a significant move, the Kerala High Court on Monday, October 6, 2025, mandated the formation of a special investigation team (SIT) to delve into alleged discrepancies concerning the gold-clad copper plates of the revered Dwarapalaka (guardian deity) idols at the Sabarimala temple. Reports suggest a suspicious reduction in their weight.
The High Court Bench, comprising Justices Raja Vijayaraghavan V. and K.V. Jayakumar, issued this directive after reviewing an interim report from the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) Vigilance team, which had conducted an initial inquiry into the matter.
The court’s decision follows an earlier instruction to the TDB Vigilance unit to investigate the reduced weight of the Dwarapalaka idols. These idols were sent for electroplating in 2019 to a Chennai-based firm, a process reportedly sponsored by businessman Unnikrishnan Potty.
The newly constituted SIT will be spearheaded by Superintendent of Police S. Sasidharan, a seasoned officer known for his expertise in handling intricate criminal investigations, including the high-profile 2022 Elanthoor human sacrifice case. Oversight for the team’s operations will be provided by H. Venketesh, the Additional Director General of Police and head of the Crime Branch. The team will also include specialized officials from the Cyber Police.
Government sources confirmed that the Kerala government had proposed these officers’ names to the High Court, emphasizing Mr. Sasidharan’s impressive track record in complex cases.
A crucial aspect of the High Court’s order is the confidentiality of the investigation; all reports must be submitted directly to the court.
This development comes just a week after the court ordered a thorough inventory of all gold and other valuables present at the Sabarimala temple, to be conducted under the direct supervision of retired Justice K.T. Sankaran. As part of its preliminary investigation, the TDB Vigilance team had already interrogated Mr. Potty for two days before presenting its findings to the court.
Devaswom Minister V.N. Vasavan has publicly welcomed the Kerala High Court’s decision to establish the SIT, signaling the government’s support for a thorough probe into the incident.