Sabarimala flag mast: No proof of gold misappropriation, probe team tells Kerala HC

Kochi: The vigilance team probing the allegations related to the installation of a new temple flag mast at Sabarimala in 2017 has submitted a preliminary inquiry report before high court stating that there was no material to indicate any misappropriation or criminal breach of trust in respect of the gold donated by devotees for the installation.Accepting the report, a bench of Justices V Raja Vijayaraghavan and K V Jayakumar granted permission to the vigilance team to close further proceedings in the matter. Earlier, HC had directed the vigilance and anti-corruption bureau director to conduct a preliminary inquiry to ascertain whether any misappropriation or criminal acts disclosing cognisable offences had been committed.The report states that, as per records, a total of 412.010g of gold was shown as having been received from devotees for use on the flag mast at Sabarimala. However, the vigilance contacted the individuals named therein and found that the cumulative quantity of gold actually donated by them was 300g. Based on the preliminary inquiry and the documentary as well as oral evidence collected, it was concluded that there was no material to suggest any criminal misappropriation in respect of the gold donated by devotees. Accordingly, HC accepted the report and granted permission to close further proceedings.SIT probe deadline extended till May 18High court also extended the time granted to SIT to conclude the investigation and file the final report into the alleged gold heist at the Sabarimala temple from March 31 to May 18.The court issued the direction, noting that the laboratory report from the National Metallurgical Laboratory (CSIR-NML), Jamshedpur, concerning the gold-clad copper plate coverings of the sreekovil would be received only by the last week of April. S Sasidharan, the investigating officer of the SIT, appeared before HC on Thursday and submitted a progress report on the ongoing investigation.It was also informed that on Feb 12 and 13, the SIT, comprising officers from the Forensic Science Laboratory, Legal Metrology Gold Assaying and Testing Laboratory, the Department of Photography, and members of Is Going Online Systems Technologies, had collected samples from the untouched corner pillar plate, gold-plated side pillar plates and dwarapalaka idol plates with the assistance of experts for scientific analysis. The collected samples were later forwarded to the National Metallurgical Laboratory (CSIR-NML), Jamshedpur for analysis.Accordingly, HC adjourned the matter to May 18 for further consideration.