Kerala: Sabarimala gold theft case; age is unclear, samples will be taken again

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Confusion continues over the age of the gold-plated copper plates smuggled from Sabarimala. Although the final results of the sample test conducted by the VSSC have come out, it is not clear whether the gold-plated copper plates were completely replaced and new plates were installed. To resolve the current confusion, samples will be collected again and tested in another lab with better facilities. The investigation team will submit a report to the High Court tomorrow, clarifying the approximate amount of gold lost and the need for further testing.

It is still a mystery whether the gold layers smuggled from Sabarimala were replaced and new layers were installed. The investigation team was hoping that the doubts would be answered when the scientific test results come out.

The UB Group coated the gold on the Kattilapalli in 1998 using mercury. However, there is no presence of mercury in some layers. This strengthens the suspicion that the gold layers have been completely smuggled out. A sample was collected from the old door in the strong room in Sabarimala and a comparative test was conducted. There is no answer to this question in the scientific test report either. The SIT’s move is to collect samples of the gold layers again and conduct testing in a better lab after the temple opens next week for the monthly puja.