Sabarimala heist: Jamshedpur metallurgical lab will examine gold samples, SIT tells Kerala HC

Kochi: High court has been informed by the special investigation team (SIT) probing the alleged gold heist at Sabarimala Temple that the National Metallurgical Laboratory, Jamshedpur, has agreed to undertake advanced forensic and metallurgical examinations of samples collected from the gold-clad plates of the sreekovil to assess the quantity of gold lost.S Sasidharan, the investigating officer, appeared before HC on Thursday and submitted that the laboratory has agreed to conduct the examinations free of cost, considering the significance of the matter. He further stated that, in view of the laboratory's assurance that the results will be furnished at the earliest, the final report can be laid before the jurisdictional court on or before March 31. The bench of Justices V Raja Vijayaraghavan and K V Jayakumar recorded the submission and adjourned the matter to March 26.Earlier, upon noticing the alleged misappropriation of gold from the gold-clad plates of the dwarapalaka idols on either side of the sreekovil, the court had ordered a thorough investigation. Though a chemical analysis of the samples had been conducted at the Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology, the SIT had sought permission to carry out a detailed metallurgical examination to determine the quantity of gold lost, which was allowed.The SIT on Thursday informed HC that a total of 36 samples had been collected. Of these, 30 related to the crime registered in connection with the alleged misappropriation of gold from the dwarapalaka idols, while six related to the crime registered in connection with the loss of gold from the side frames of the sreekovil door and the connected plates. The samples were produced before the special court, Kollam, for onward transmission to the laboratory in Jamshedpur for scientific examination.The officer also submitted that efforts are being made to obtain call data records from mobile service providers in respect of phones allegedly used by certain accused persons.Flag mast caseThe govt pleader submitted a GO issued by the vigilance director appointing C S Hari, deputy superintendent of police, vigilance and anti-corruption bureau, Thiruvananthapuram, to conduct a preliminary inquiry into allegations of irregularities in the misappropriation of gold connected with the temple flag mast at Sabarimala. The names of the officers appointed to assist the head of the investigation team have also been furnished. It has been stated that a report on the inquiry will be submitted within 30 days.