Overview
- After reviewing a VSSC report, the Kerala High Court said chemical signatures on temple plates prima facie indicate tampering and substitution, citing nickel and acrylic polymer layers on later plates absent from the 1998 originals.
- The court instructed the SIT to record detailed statements from VSSC scientists and to broaden inspections at Sabarimala, including surface measurements and inquiries extending to Ashtadikpalaka idols and the 2017 flag post works.
- The Enforcement Directorate launched searches at 21 locations in Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka under a money‑laundering probe, targeting TDB headquarters, homes of key accused, a Chennai metal works unit, and a Bellary jeweller.
- Investigators are correlating transactions from the 1998 gold cladding and the 2019 replating to quantify losses, with reports placing the suspected misappropriation at about 4.54 kg from door frames and Dwarapalaka idols.
- Multiple accused, including senior Travancore Devaswom Board figures and the temple’s chief priest, are in custody as bail, remand and custody applications proceed ahead of early‑February hearings.