SIT reaches Sabarimala for fresh sample collection in gold loss probe
Pathanamthitta (Kerala) (PTI): The Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the alleged loss of gold from artefacts at the Sabarimala temple reached the hill shrine on Thursday as part of fresh sample collection for scientific analysis, police sources said.
The team, led by SP S Sasidharan, reached Pampa, the base camp of Sabarimala, in the morning and later proceeded to Sannidhanam by afternoon, officials said.
The SIT decided to collect fresh samples for scientific analysis after being granted permission by the Kerala High Court on Monday.
According to police sources, the Sabarimala temple will open for the monthly pooja at 5 pm on Thursday and close on February 17 at 10 pm, as per the schedule.
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The SIT is expected to collect samples after the temple closes for the day following various poojas at the Sannidhanam, sources said.
Officials said the SIT would be assisted by personnel from the Legal Metrology Department, the forensic laboratory and skilled artisans to remove the gold-plated covering of artefacts in the Sreekovil and its pillars.
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 (sanctum sanctorum).
The SIT had submitted before the Kerala High Court that advanced scientific analysis was indispensable to establish, with precision and objectivity, the extent of material alteration, the nature of metallurgical manipulation, and the quantum of gold originally present and subsequently depleted.
It had proposed 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.
The SIT had informed the court that it had approached premier national research institutions and laboratories, including the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre in Mumbai, the National Metallurgical Laboratory in Jamshedpur, and the Defence Metallurgical Research Laboratory in Hyderabad, to undertake the specialised tests.
Earlier, the SIT had collected similar samples last year for analysis at the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre, but such facilities were not available there.
While granting permission, the Kerala High Court had 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.
The court had said it was satisfied that advanced forensic and metallurgical examination was absolutely essential and that the results would form the bedrock of the prosecution’s case.
The court has directed the SIT to file a report on February 19, updating it on the samples collected from the Sabarimala temple and the agencies to which they were sent for scientific analysis.
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Afghan all-rounder Mohammad Nabi fined for disobeying umpire's decision
Ahmedabad (PTI): Veteran Afghan all-rounder Mohammad Nabi has been fined 15 percent of his match fees for disobeying the umpire's decision during his team's loss to South Africa.
The incident occurred at the start of the 14th over of Afghanistan's innings, when Nabi engaged in a prolonged argument with the umpires over bowler Lungi Ngidi's wrist-band.
"Nabi was found to have breached Article 2.4 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, which relates to "Disobeying an Umpire's instruction during an International Match," an ICC statement read.
In addition to the fine, Nabi has also been handed a demerit point, and it was his first offence in a 24-month period.
"Nabi admitted the offence and accepted the sanction proposed by David Gilbert of the ICC International Panel of Match Referees, so there was no need for a formal hearing," the statement added.
On-field umpires Jayaraman Madanagopal and Sharfuddoula Ibne Shahid, third umpire Nitin Menon and fourth umpire K.N. Ananthapadmanabhan had levelled the charge.
In one of the greatest T20 games, South Africa pipped a plucky Afghanistan after two Super Overs here on Wednesday.
