The Special Investigation Team (SIT) on Friday conducted sample collection for scientific analysis for the second consecutive day at the Sabarimala Ayyappa temple as part of its probe into the alleged loss of gold from artefacts at the hill shrine, police sources said.
The sample collection process is almost complete, and if any additional samples are required, they will be collected on Saturday, sources said.
The SIT, led by Superintendent of Police 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 SIT removed the gold-plated covering from artefacts in a portion of the sreekovil on Thursday. The remaining gold-plated coverings at the sreekoviland its doorframes were removed on Friday as part of the sample collection process. The gold-plated coverings were reinstalled by evening, officials said.
The Ayyappa temple is currently open for the monthly puja 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.
Published – February 13, 2026 08:38 pm IST
