Kochi, Feb 9 (NationPress) The Kerala High Court has mandated a new scientific analysis of the gold-coated plates at the Sabarimala temple, while also initiating a special vigilance investigation into the reconstruction of the temple’s flagstaff, known as kodimaram. This decision expands the inquiry into the ongoing Sabarimala gold theft saga.

Responding to a plea from the Special Investigation Team (SIT), the court has ordered that fresh samples be collected from the gold-coated plates and forwarded to the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) in Mumbai for comprehensive analysis.

Previously, samples had been analyzed by the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC), whose report, presented to the Kollam Vigilance Court and later reviewed by the High Court, left several questions unresolved.

The court pointed out that VSSC had not provided satisfactory answers regarding critical issues, necessitating a new examination by BARC.

The purpose of this renewed testing is to ascertain whether the plates have been tampered with in any way and to accurately gauge the quantity of gold present, thereby supplying vital scientific evidence for the ongoing investigation.

The court emphasized that this order is interim and instructed the SIT to commence sample collection once the temple reopens for the monthly 'puja (worship)' next week.

Additionally, the High Court called for a prompt vigilance investigation into the 2017 reconstruction of the Sabarimala flagstaff, which occurred under the UDF-led Devaswom Board's administration.

At that time, the board was led by the late Prayar Gopalakrishnan, a former Congress MLA, accompanied by his party colleague Ajay Tharayil and CPI(M) leader Raghavan.

The court remarked that uncertainties remain regarding the gold received as donations for the project, indicating the need for clarification.

It also left open the possibility of filing a separate case if deemed necessary.

The replacement of the flagstaff had initially been included in the SIT’s investigation scope.

Interest in the case intensified after a ceremonial vehicle, known as vaji vahanam, linked to the old flagstaff was discovered at the temple Tantri's residence and subsequently presented in court.

Officials involved in the flagstaff replacement process have since been interrogated.

The High Court had previously instructed that events from 1998 to 2025 be examined in four distinct phases.

While the old flagstaff was removed and a new one was installed in 2017, the ceremonial vehicle detached from it was given to Tantri Kandarar Rajeevar.

Although the Tantri later expressed a desire to return it amid the gold theft controversy, the previous board reportedly declined to accept it back.

The case is set to be revisited on February 19, with investigations ramping up across multiple fronts.