The Kerala High Court has permitted a Special Investigation Team to dismantle gold-clad plates at the Sabarimala temple to probe alleged gold theft.

This development marks a significant escalation in the investigation into the misappropriation of temple assets. The case involves allegations that precious metals were stripped from sacred idols and replaced with cheaper materials to hide the loss.

On Monday, June 8, 2026, the investigation team submitted an interim report to the court [2]. The report said that gold cladding on the temple's idols was stripped and replaced with copper layers [2]. To further examine these claims, the court allowed the team to dismantle the temple's gold-clad arch and door frame [1].

The interim report names seven individuals as accused [3]. Among those named is PS Prashanth, the former president of the Travancore Devaswom Board [3]. The board is the administrative body responsible for the management of the temple.

Investigators are working to determine the full extent of the gold loss and whether there was a coordinated effort to cover up the theft. The SIT is examining whether the copper replacements were installed to deceive auditors and temple officials during routine inspections [2].

The court's decision to allow the physical dismantling of temple structures indicates a high level of judicial concern regarding the evidence presented in the interim report. The probe continues to focus on the movement of the stolen gold, and the roles played by the named officials in the alleged misappropriation [2].

“Gold cladding on Sabarimala temple idols was stripped and replaced with copper layers.”

The naming of a former Travancore Devaswom Board president suggests that the alleged theft may have involved high-level administrative collusion. By allowing the SIT to dismantle permanent temple fixtures, the Kerala High Court is prioritizing the recovery of physical evidence over the preservation of the current state of the temple's gold-work, signaling that the evidence of fraud is substantial enough to justify such an intrusive measure.