Kerala HC forms SIT to probe reduced weight of gold-clad plates of Dwarapalaka in Sabarimala
Kochi (PTI): The Kerala High Court on Monday directed the formation of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe alleged irregularities related to the reduced weight of gold-clad copper plates of the Dwarapalaka (guardian deity) idols at Sabarimala.
A bench of Justices Raja Vijayaraghavan V and K V Jayakumar ordered the constitution of the SIT after the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) Chief Vigilance and Security Officer submitted an interim report on its preliminary investigation into the matter.
Earlier, the court had directed the TDB Chief Vigilance and Security Officer to investigate the reduced weight of the Dwarapalakas after they were sent to a Chennai-based firm, Smart Creation, for electroplating. The work was sponsored by businessman Unnikrishnan Potty in 2019.
Last week, the court had ordered a comprehensive inventory of all valuables, including gold, at the Sabarimala temple under the supervision of retired Justice K T Sankaran.
In its order on Monday, the bench appointed H Venkitesh, Additional Director General of Police (Law and Order), as the head of the SIT. The investigation will be conducted by Superintendent of Police S Sasidharan under the supervision of the ADGP. Inspectors Aneesh, Biju Radhakrishnan, and Assistant Sub Inspector Sunil Kumar are other members of the SIT.
The court directed that the SIT shall be directly answerable to it and ensure that the probe is conducted with utmost discretion and integrity.
The SIT shall formally assume charge of the investigation upon submission of the report by the TDB Chief Vigilance and Security Officer on October 10, 2025, the court ordered.
The court directed SIT to complete the probe in six weeks. SIT shall be granted access to all the records maintained by the TDB at Sannidhanam and other places, and all cooperation shall be extended to conclude the investigation within the time granted by us, the order further stated.
The bench discussed the evidence placed by the TDB Vigilance and Security Officer, including a letter issued by the Manager (Finance), McDowell & Company Ltd., United Breweries Group, to the TDB Secretary.
The letter detailed the gold-plating work and specified the quantity of gold used for the Sreekovil (sanctum sanctorum) cladding of the Sabarimala temple in the 1998-1999 period. "From the said letter, which bears the endorsement of the officers of the Board, we note that, in respect of the two Dwarapalakas in front of the Sreekovil , a total of 1.564 kilograms of gold was used," the court noted.
The court recorded that the total quantity of gold utilised for the entire gold-cladding project executed through traditional methods, covering nine portions of the Sreekovil, was 30,291 grams. This, it said, "conclusively establishes that the Dwarapalakas handed over by the TDB to Potty had been clad with 1.564 kg of gold, and were therefore not mere ‘copper plates,’ as inaccurately described in the Mahazar dated July 19, 2019."
According to the bench, this revelation fundamentally altered the complexion of the case and brought within its fold the offences of theft, criminal misappropriation, and criminal breach of trust. "The reduction in the recorded weight of approximately 4.5 kilograms when the items were returned after ‘gold-plating’ is a matter of extreme gravity," the court observed.
According to the court, its earlier apprehension that the items refixed at the Sannidhanam were a different set of copper plates now appears fully justified in light of the foregoing facts.
The court also noted the grave possibility that the original gold-clad Dwarapalakas were disposed of to a purchaser for substantial monetary consideration and the proceeds misappropriated.
The bench also discussed an email sent by Potty to the TDB president on December 9, 2019, in which the former stated that he had some gold balance in his possession after completing the gold work on the main door of Sabarimala Sreekovil and Dwaraplaka's. He likes to use it for a girl's marriage who needs support and genuine, in coordination with TDB.
"This revelation is deeply disturbing and exposes, yet again, the extent of the impropriety involved. It unmistakably demonstrates the alarming manner in which certain Devaswom officials had acted in concert with Potty, betraying both the sanctity of temple property and the trust reposed in them by the devotees," the court observed.
The court said it had "no hesitation" in holding that the findings recorded by the Vigilance Officer prima facie disclosed the commission of several offences under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023.
"We are convinced that a full-fledged and impartial investigation is required to identify and bring to book every person culpable in the matter. In our considered view, the responsibility does not rest solely with Potty and Smart Creation, but also extends to certain officers of the TDB," the court observed.
The bench also recorded that communications and records clearly revealed that these officers were privy to the transactions and to the unlawful handing over of gold, in flagrant violation of provisions in the Devaswom Manual.
"Even more alarming is the fact that the gold-plated articles returned after the 2019 plating were not weighed by the officers concerned. The materials on record make it evident that they were fully aware of both the reduction in the weight of the articles and the prior gold-cladding of the Dwarapalakas in 1998–99," the court added.
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Bondi beach shooting: Ahmed al Ahmed’s heroic tackling of gunman earns him praise
Donations pour in for Ahmed’s recovery
Melbourne: Ahmed al Ahmed, a 43-year-old convenience store owner and father of two, is being widely praised for his bravery after he tackled and disarmed one of the gunmen during a deadly shooting at Sydney’s Bondi Beach on Sunday, December 14.
The attack took place near a children’s playground during the “Chanukah By The Sea,” a Jewish event, the Hanukkah celebration, which was attended by hundreds of families.
Two gunmen opened fire on the crowd, killing 11 people and injuring many others. In total, 29 people were taken to hospitals across Sydney.
The video that quickly spread across social media showed Ahmed crouching behind parked cars before running towards one of the attackers. As shots rang out, he came from behind, placed the gunman in a headlock, and wrestled the firearm away.
During the struggle, Ahmed was shot twice by a second gunman, suffering injuries to his hand, arm, and leg. Despite his injuries, he managed to disarm the attacker. Australian media later confirmed Ahmed al Ahmed as the man seen in the viral footage.
After the attack, he was widely hailed as a hero. Donations began pouring in from across Australia and abroad to support his recovery.
Quoting Reuters, Hindustan Times reported that a GoFundMe campaign set up for Ahmed raised more than A$1.1 million within a single day. Billionaire hedge fund manager Bill Ackman was the largest donor, contributing A$99,999 and sharing the fundraiser on his X account.
Ahmed is currently recovering in St. George Hospital after undergoing surgery for gunshot wounds, and doctors have said he may require further procedures.
According to local reports, members of the public gathered outside St. George Hospital to show their support.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese praised Ahmed’s actions, saying they prevented the death toll from rising further.
“What we’ve seen in the last 24 hours was the worst of humanity in a terrorist act. But we also saw the best of humanity in Ahmed Al Ahmed running towards danger and putting his own life at risk,” Albanese told state run ABC News. He confirmed that Ahmed was shot twice by the second attacker during the incident.
Family members said Ahmed had no prior experience with firearms and acted purely on instinct.
Police later confirmed that two gunmen were involved in the attack. One was disarmed by Ahmed and later taken into custody in critical condition. The second gunman was fatally shot at the scene by a police officer who arrived shortly after Ahmed’s intervention.
A man who disarmed a terrorist has been identified as a Muslim named Ahmed Al Ahmad during an attack on a Jewish event in Sydney.
— Globe Eye News (@GlobeEyeNews) December 14, 2025
He prevented further harm to Jews. pic.twitter.com/OvU0y0iQq4
