Overview

• The Devaswom Bench named Superintendent of Police S. Sasidharan to lead the Special Investigation Team under the supervision of ADG (Crime) H. Venkatesh, with reports to be filed directly to the court under strict confidentiality within a month.
• Court and TDB records note that items weighed 42.8 kg when removed in 2019 but only 38.258 kg when produced for re-plating at a Chennai workshop, prompting the probe.
• TDB Vigilance has interrogated sponsor Unnikrishnan Potty, who denies wrongdoing, and recovered two gold‑plated coverings from a relative’s home in Thiruvananthapuram.
• Retired Justice K. T. Sankaran is overseeing a comprehensive inventory and appraisal of Sabarimala valuables, and investigators may seek forensic tests to verify the returned panels.
• The row triggered uproar in the Kerala Assembly as the Opposition demanded a CBI inquiry and resignations, while the Devaswom Minister said the government supports the court‑monitored investigation.