Sabarimala gold loss probe: Sample collection enters second day
Pathanamthitta (Kerala) (PTI): The SIT on Friday continued its sample collection for scientific analysis at the Sabarimala temple as part of the probe into the alleged loss of gold from artefacts at the hill shrine, police sources said.
Sample collection for scientific analysis at the Sabarimala temple as part of the SIT probe into the alleged loss of gold from artefacts at the hill shrine entered its second day on Friday, police sources said.
The Special Investigation Team, led by SP S Sasidharan, reached Sabarimala and began collecting samples from various artefacts at the Sreekovil (sanctum sanctorum) on Thursday evening.
According to police sources, the officials assisting the Special Investigation Team (SIT) removed the gold-plated covering from artefacts in a portion of the Sreekovil on Thursday.
The remaining gold-plated coverings at the Sreekovil are being removed on Friday as part of the sample collection process.
The SIT is looking to complete the sample collection procedure on Friday and reinstall the gold covering soon, sources said.
The Lord Ayyappa temple is currently open for the monthly pooja and will close on the night of February 17.
The SIT decided to collect fresh samples for scientific analysis after being granted permission by the Kerala High Court on Monday.
The SIT is probing two cases related to the alleged loss of gold from the Dwarapalaka (guardian deity) idol plates and the doorframes of the Sreekovil.
The SIT had informed the court that it proposes to conduct X-ray Fluorescence Spectroscopy (XRF) to determine surface elemental composition, Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) for ultra-trace impurity and elemental profiling, and Optical Emission Spectroscopy (OES) to analyse alloy composition and metallurgical uniformity.
Earlier, the SIT had collected similar samples last year for analysis at the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre, but the required facilities were not available there.
While granting permission, the Kerala High Court observed that allegations involving the removal and substitution of precious gold cladding from the holy shrine strike at the very sanctity of the temple and cannot rest solely on testimonial assertions or documentary records, which may be susceptible to omission, manipulation or interpretative dispute.
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Govt not to bring motion against Rahul as BJP member has given notice for it: Rijiju
New Delhi (PTI): Union parliamentary affairs minister Kiren Rijiju said on Friday that the government has shelved a plan to bring a motion against Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi for using unparliamentary language against the prime minister, as a BJP MP has submitted a notice to initiate a "substantive motion" against the Congress leader on the same issue.
Speaking to reporters here, the Union minister stated that the speaker would be consulted on whether to send the matter to the House privilege committee, the ethics committee, or bring it directly to the Lok Sabha. "It has not yet been decided," he said.
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He noted that since a private member has already submitted a notice for the motion, the government will refrain from introducing its own motion.
BJP MP Nishikant Dubey told PTI Videos on Thursday that he has given a notice to initiate a "substantive motion" against Gandhi, demanding the cancellation of his Lok Sabha membership and calling for him to be barred from contesting elections for life.
Dubey said that in his notice, he has stated how the leader of the opposition visits foreign countries, joining hands with the Soros Foundation, USAID and Ford Foundation, and "colludes" with anti-India elements.
A substantive motion is an independent, self-contained proposal submitted for the approval of a legislative house or assembly, drafted to express a decision or opinion.
"No privilege motion notice. I have given a substantive motion notice where I have mentioned how he visits Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia with Soros Foundation, Ford Foundation and USAID, and colludes with anti-India forces," Dubey alleged.
