A Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing an alleged theft of gold at the Sabarimala Ayyappa temple started sample collection for scientific analysis here on Thursday, police sources said.
The team, led by Superintendent of Police S. Sasidharan, reached Pampa in the morning and later proceeded to the Sannidhanam by afternoon, officials said.
Officials said the SIT, assisted by personnel from the Legal Metrology department, forensic laboratory, and skilled artisans, began removing the gold-plated covering from artefacts in the sanctum sanctorum and its pillars in the evening.
Monthly puja
According to the police sources, the sample collection procedure started after the Sabarimala temple opened for the monthly puja at 5 p.m. on Thursday.
