Sabarimala gold scam: Retired HC judge begins assessing temple valuables
What's the story
Retired Kerala High Court judge KT Sankaran has started his task of assessing the valuables at the Sabarimala Ayyappa temple. The court had ordered this appraisal after noticing a discrepancy in the weight of gold-clad copper plates on Dwarapalaka idols. Justice Sankaran reached Pampa, near Sabarimala, on Friday and trekked to the temple early Saturday with officials from the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB), including a goldsmith.
Appraisal details
Team to inspect strongroom, prepare detailed inventory
The team will inspect the strongroom at Sabarimala and prepare a detailed inventory of its contents. After this, Justice Sankaran will also check the TDB's main strongroom at Aranmula on Monday. The retired judge was recommended for this important task by a bench of Justices Raja Vijayaraghavan V and KV Jayakumar due to his expertise in such matters.
Investigation ordered
Court orders investigation into gold theft
The Kerala High Court had earlier ordered an investigation after noticing a reduction in the weight of gold-clad copper plates on Dwarapalaka idols. On Friday, the court also directed state police to register a criminal case over suspected misappropriation of gold from the side frames or lintels of the shrine and initiate a formal investigation.