The Kerala High Court on Monday mandated a Special Investigation Team (SIT) probe into allegations of irregularities concerning the reduced weight of the gold-clad copper plates of the Dwarapalaka (guardian deity) idols at the Sabarimala temple.
To lead this investigation, the High Court has appointed Additional Director General of Police (ADGP) H Venkatesh to head the specialized team.
The controversy stems from claims that several gold-plated panels were mishandled after being removed from the temple in 2019 and 2025 for restoration work at workshops in Chennai and Hyderabad. Discrepancies were subsequently reported regarding the weight and gold content of these panels.