Massive manipulations surfaced in gold applications, encompassing gold-overlaid door panels. Referencing VSSC’s initial findings, the court bolstered fears of substituted original plates. Scientific tests are imperative to determine the plates’ vintage, it ruled.

The bench instructed the SIT for a re-inspection on January 20, authorizing meticulous scrutiny and sizing of sanctum doors, panels, and gold fixtures, extending to antique doors. A comprehensive scientific appraisal of each plate’s age and purity was mandated.

VSSC inspectors must furnish elaborate affidavits, given the report’s technical complexity needing elaboration. Additional expert assistance was greenlit for the SIT. The crime’s methodology is scientifically confirmed, yet technical specifics remain sealed to safeguard the investigation.

The court characterized record evidence as pointing to premeditated, structured action—far beyond ordinary theft, signaling a calculated assault on Devaswom holdings. It expressed profound unease that those responsible for protection might be perpetrators.

Updating the court, SIT revealed 13 suspects under judicial remand, potential further detentions ahead. Tracing melted gold continues, with frozen bank accounts aiding in uncovering laundered assets. Proceedings resume on February 9.

The incident unfolded in the heart of Sabarimala, where burglars made off with gold worth crores, including antique pieces gifted over decades. The SIT, constituted under police commissioner Cyriac Joseph, submitted its report recently, claiming to have cracked the case with arrests of cleaners and electricians. Yet, Chennithala begs to differ, citing missing forensic links and ignored witness testimonies.

Speaking to reporters, he remarked, ‘How can a report close a case without tracing the gold’s whereabouts? This is incompetence at its peak.’ His critique aligns with UDF’s long-standing call for an impartial agency like CBI to take over, bypassing what they term ‘state-biased’ machinery.

Background reveals deeper woes: Poor lighting, outdated locks, and insider complicity enabled the theft. Post-incident, the government faced backlash for delaying action, with opposition alleging political interference to shield influential figures. Chennithala’s salvo comes amid rising devotee unrest, amplified on social media with hashtags like #JusticeForSabarimala.

The LDF dismissed the claims as ‘election gimmickry,’ with Devaswom Minister K Radhakrishnan defending the SIT’s rigor. However, as forensic re-examination looms, the gold’s recovery remains elusive. For millions of Ayyappa bhakthas, this isn’t just a theft—it’s a desecration demanding uncompromised truth. Political crossfire threatens to overshadow the upcoming pilgrimage season, testing Kerala’s administrative resolve.