Pathanamthitta, SIT on Friday continued its collection of samples for scientific analysis at the Sabarimala temple as part of its probe into the alleged loss of gold from artefacts at the hill temple, police sources said.
Sabarimala gold loss probe: Sample collection enters second dayCollection of samples for scientific analysis at the Sabarimala temple entered its second day on Friday as part of the SIT probe into the alleged loss of gold from artefacts at the hill temple, police sources said.
The special investigation team led by SP S Sasidharan reached Sabarimala and started collecting samples from various artefacts of Srikovil on Thursday evening.
Officials assisting the Special Investigation Team on Thursday removed the gold-plated coating from the artefacts in a section of Srikovil, police sources said.
Srikovil’s remaining gold-plated casings are being removed on Friday as part of the sample collection process.
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The SIT is looking to complete the sample collection process on Friday and reinstall the gold coating soon, sources said.
The Lord Ayyappa temple is currently open for monthly puja and will be closed on February 17 night.
The SIT decided to collect fresh samples for scientific analysis after getting permission from the Kerala High Court on Monday.
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The SIT is probing two cases related to the alleged disappearance of gold from doorman idol plates and door frames in Srikovil.
The SIT informed the court that it proposed to conduct X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy to determine surface elemental composition, inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry for ultra-trace impurity and elemental profiling, and optical emission spectroscopy to analyze alloy composition and metallurgical structure.
Earlier, SIT had collected similar samples for analysis at the Vikram Sarabhai Space Center last year, but the required facilities were not available there.
While granting permission, the Kerala High Court observed that allegations involving the removal and replacement of precious gold cladding from temple sanctity strike and cannot rely solely on testimonial or documentary records, which may be susceptible to omission, manipulation or interpretive controversy.
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