Kerala HC orders SIT probe into Sabarimala gold plating controversy amid Opposition’s demand for CBI inquiry

The controversy dates back to 2019, when copper plates from the Dwarapalaka sculptures were taken to Chennai for gold plating without the knowledge or approval of the Sabarimala Special Commissioner.

At a time when the Opposition has been vociferously demanding a court-monitored CBI probe into the Sabarimala gold plating controversy, the Kerala High Court on Monday, 6 October, ordered a high-level investigation by a Special Investigation Team (SIT) of the state Crime Branch.

The Devaswom Bench comprising Justices Raja Vijayaraghavan and KV Jayakumar directed that the probe be completed within a month and maintained that the investigation should be conducted in a confidential manner.

The court noted that there were serious matters that required detailed examination.

The SIT will be headed by Crime Branch chief ADGP H. Venkatesh, while SP S. Sasidharan will lead the probe team, which will also include members from the cyber division and police officers drawn from various stations across the state.