Kerala HC Orders Fresh BARC Test, Vigilance Probe In Sabarimala Gold Case

The Kerala High Court on Monday ordered a fresh scientific examination of the gold-coated plates at Sabarimala and directed a special vigilance investigation into the reconstruction of the temple’s flagstaff (kodimaram), expanding the scope of scrutiny in the long-running Sabarimala gold theft case.

Acting on a request by the Special Investigation Team (SIT), the court directed investigators to collect new samples from the gold-coated plates and send them to the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) in Mumbai for detailed analysis.

The Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC) had examined the earlier samples.

Its report, submitted before the Kollam Vigilance Court and later reviewed by the High Court, left several key questions unanswered.

Observing that VSSC had been unable to provide clear conclusions on crucial aspects, the court said a fresh examination at BARC was necessary.

The renewed testing aims to determine whether anyone altered the plates and to establish the actual quantity of gold used, which remains central to the investigation.

Interim Order and Next Steps

The court clarified that its order was interim and directed the SIT to proceed with sample collection after the temple reopens for the monthly puja next week.

Simultaneously, the High Court ordered a swift vigilance probe into the 2017 reconstruction of the Sabarimala flagstaff, undertaken during the tenure of the UDF-led Devaswom Board.

At the time, the late Prayar Gopalakrishnan, a former Congress MLA, headed the Board, with Ajay Tharayil and CPI(M) leader Raghavan among its members.

The court noted persisting ambiguity over the quantity of gold received as donations for the project and said clarity must be established. It also left open the possibility of registering a separate case if warranted.

The investigation gained momentum after authorities found a ceremonial vehicle linked to the old flagstaff at Tantri’s residence and produced it before the court.

The court will hear the case again on February 19.