Kerala’s Sabarimala temple, a beacon for millions of pilgrims, has been at the center of a gold theft controversy. Now, forensic science from ISRO’s Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre brings game-changing clarity: thieves didn’t cart off solid gold slabs but skillfully peeled away gold plating from copper panels.
Presented to the Kerala High Court via the SIT on Wednesday, the report shatters myths of wholesale panel replacements or foreign syndicates. The sanctum’s door panels and wooden kattil frame are verified originals, bearing the scars of chemical tampering rather than mechanical removal.
Through advanced spectroscopy and material testing, VSSC scientists detected depleted gold layers on select sheets, reattached post-theft. The discoloration? Not shoddy fakes, but residue from mercury amalgamation processes that dissolve gold without damaging the base metal.
‘No scientific proof of substituted sheets,’ the experts affirmed, quelling fears of a deeper conspiracy. The investigation now pivots to tracing the chemical trails and perpetrators who infiltrated the holy garbhagriha undetected.
As the SIT delves into historical sample comparisons, expectations mount for VSSC’s detailed report. This evidence could pinpoint the timeline and methods, transforming outrage into actionable leads. For Sabarimala devotees, it’s a step toward restoring faith in the temple’s sanctity amid the probe’s twists.