The special investigation team (SIT) inquiring into the alleged misappropriation of gold from the Sabarimala Ayyappa temple informed the Kerala High Court on Thursday that it has established a clear sequence of events that led to the removal of the Dwarapalaka idols from the temple for gold plating. During the hearing, a Division Bench of Justices Raja Vijayaraghavan and K.V. Jayakumar directed the SIT to submit a detailed report on the investigation by June 29. The report should include the extent of involvement of the persons concerned, role of each accused in the transactions related to transportation and gold-plating of the idols in 2025, and the specific time frame for the submission of the final report before the Inquiry Commissioner and Special Judge (Vigilance), Kollam.The report, submitted by S. Sasidharan, head of the SIT, disclosed that the chain of events was established from the documents seized, communication exchanged among the accused, and various decisions, orders, and proceedings of the Travancore Devaswom Board that ultimately facilitated the transportation and removal of the idols for gold-plating.Further, the aspect of criminal conspiracy, the role of the accused who were in responsible positions, and their involvement in the misappropriation were under investigation, it said. The suo motu petition was initiated on a report by the Special Commissioner, Sabarimala, that the gold-clad copper coverings of the Dwarapalaka idols, located on either side of the Sreekovil, were removed for gold plating without prior intimation in 2025.The court had constituted the SIT in October 2025 to conduct a thorough independent investigation into the alleged misappropriation, after noting a series of grave irregularities and possible acts of misappropriation, allegedly carried out with the active connivance of officials of the Travancore Devaswom Board.The court asked the SIT to submit the detailed report on or before June 29 and to take all necessary steps to ensure that there is no further delay in concluding the investigation. Published - June 18, 2026 07:06 pm IST