The forensic report from the National Metallurgical Laboratory (CSIR-NML) in Jamshedpur is learnt to have confirmed theft of substantial quantities of gold from Sabarimala Temple’s sanctum sanctorum. According to officials, the laboratory analysed a batch of more than 30 samples extracted from the temple’s sanctum sanctorum doorframes (Kattilappali) while the results of another batch is awaited.However, extracting definitive answers from the current document remains a challenge for investigators due to its highly technical nature. Officials noted that the report is written in dense, specialised scientific terminology, much like an intricate forensic autopsy. Since the document focusses strictly on raw scientific values and elemental profiles, the help of metallurgical experts will be sought.“To establish total clarity, the SIT will have to employ experts to make the document intelligible. Deciphering these precise scientific metrics is crucial to determine the exact extent of the gold plating removed, the true weight of the stolen gold, and whether any underlying copper structuring was altered. Also, a secondary batch of samples sent to the laboratory is still awaiting final testing, and its subsequent report is expected to shed more light on the timeline of the theft,” said the official.The highly confidential forensic report has already been submitted to both Kollam Vigilance Court and the investigating officers. Reportedly, the SIT plans to comprehensively decode the scientific findings and brief the Kerala High Court on the precise mechanics of the theft.The report from the National Metallurgical Laboratory is the most important piece of evidence for the prosecution, replacing suspicion with solid scientific proof. Published - May 30, 2026 08:50 pm IST