The alleged gold theft at Kerala’s Sabarimala Temple has sparked nationwide outrage after an SIT report revealed missing gold from temple structures. For the first time, ISRO’s Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre will conduct scientific analysis of temple artefacts to determine the exact quantity of gold used and stolen.
ISRO to Probe Sabarimala Gold Theft After SIT Revelations
Thiruvananthapuram: The case of alleged gold theft at Kerala's famous Sabarimala temple is becoming increasingly serious. The Special Investigation Team (SIT) report presented in the Kerala High Court has sparked a nationwide uproar. To get to the bottom of the matter, the SIT has sought technical assistance from ISRO's Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC), Thiruvananthapuram.
This is the first time in the country that ISRO scientists are being involved in a temple theft case. VSSC scientists will collect samples from the Sabarimala temple's artifacts and copper plates. These samples will be scientifically examined to determine the actual amount of gold offered and the missing amount.
The SIT, formed two months ago on the orders of the High Court, stated in its report that gold is missing from seven copper plates kept in the temple's Prabhamandalam. Additionally, gold embedded in the Shiva-Dragon and Vyali Rupam idols is also reported to have been stolen. Initially, only the gold missing from the Dwarapalak idols and the frame of the sanctum sanctorum was found, but subsequent investigations revealed the scope of the scam to be much larger.
The investigation also revealed that in 1999, the Travancore Devaswom Board repaired the gold-plated Dwarapalaks at the temple entrance. Vijay Mallya, the then chairman of the UB Group, donated 30 kilograms of gold. According to experts, only five kilograms of gold was used on the Dwarapalak idols, while the remaining gold was applied to other temple structures.
The court also stated that the Devaswom Board violated its own rules. The repair work should have been carried out on the temple premises, but the materials were allegedly sent to Chennai. A vigilance officer was also not present during the repair, which is against the rules.
The SIT investigation has led to the arrest of 10 people, including three CPI(M) leaders. A former Devaswom minister has also been questioned. Now, it is hoped that the scientific investigation by ISRO will reveal the full truth behind the Sabarimala temple gold theft.
