Overview
- A Division Bench said misappropriation of gold from the Dwarapalaka idols and Sreekovil door frames appeared systematic, referencing a VSSC chemical analysis that indicated tampering and substitution.
- The Court directed the SIT to record statements from VSSC experts and to correlate the technical findings with seized physical and documentary evidence.
- Permission was granted for an on-site visit on January 20 to measure door surface areas for calculating the gold used for cladding, with the Bench recording satisfaction over investigation progress.
- The probe may now examine Ashtadikpalaka idols and the 2017 flag post replacement, and the ‘Vajivahanam’ seized from Thantri Kandararu Rajeevaru’s residence was preliminarily found to be panchaloha.
- In a separate plea by Akhila Thanthri Pracharak Sabha seeking a CBI takeover, the Bench orally questioned the petitioners’ motives, tagged connected matters, and listed WP(C) 1862/2026 for February 6, while the suo motu case is next on February 9.