Pathanamthitta (Kerala), February 13 The SIT continued its sample collection at the Sabarimala temple on Friday as part of its investigation into the alleged loss of gold from artifacts at the hill shrine, police sources said.
The SIT's investigation, led by SP S Sasidharan, continued on Friday with the collection of samples from various artifacts in the Sreekovil (sanctum sanctorum). On Thursday evening, officials assisting the SIT removed the gold-plated coverings from artifacts in a portion of the Sreekovil. The remaining gold-plated coverings are being removed on Friday as part of the sample collection process. The SIT aims to complete the sample collection on Friday and reinstall the gold covering soon. The Lord Ayyappa temple is currently open for the monthly pooja and will close on the night of February 17. The SIT decided to collect fresh samples for scientific analysis after being granted permission by the Kerala High Court on Monday. The SIT is investigating two cases related to the alleged loss of gold from the Dwarapalaka (guardian deity) idol plates and the doorframes of the Sreekovil. The SIT had informed the court that it proposes to conduct X-ray Fluorescence Spectroscopy (XRF) to determine surface elemental composition, Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) for ultra-trace impurity and elemental profiling, and Optical Emission Spectroscopy (OES) to analyse alloy composition and metallurgical uniformity. Earlier, the SIT had collected similar samples last year for analysis at the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre, but the required facilities were not available there. While granting permission, the Kerala High Court observed that allegations involving the removal and substitution of precious gold cladding from the holy shrine strike at the very sanctity of the temple and cannot rest solely on testimonial assertions or documentary records, which may be susceptible to omission, manipulation or interpretative dispute.
