Kochi: The Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the Sabarimala gold loss case has informed the Kerala High Court that the chargesheet in the doorframe case will be filed on or before September 25.

The submission was made before a division bench comprising Justices R A Raja Vijay Raghavan and K V Jayakumar. SIT head S Sasidharan appeared before the court during the proceedings.

Two cases under SIT probe

The SIT is investigating two cases related to the alleged loss of gold from the Dwarapalaka (guardian deity) idol and the doorframes of the Sreekovil (sanctum sanctorum).

The investigation into the gold loss from the doorframes is almost complete, the SIT told the court. It said the stripping salt and cleaning salt involved in the cases had been sent to the National Metallurgical Laboratory for examination. The results are expected within two weeks.

The SIT said it was hopeful of completing the remaining formalities and filing the final report before the jurisdictional court.

Regarding the Dwarapalaka idol case, the SIT said the investigation had been expanded to include events that occurred in 2025. As a result, certain additional steps remained to be completed.
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HC directs SIT to expedite probe

After examining the detailed report submitted by the SIT, the High Court said the investigation had progressed substantially and directed the agency to complete the remaining steps expeditiously.

The bench also specifically directed the SIT to submit the chargesheet in the doorframe case on or before September 25.
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Former TDB president gets bail
Meanwhile, former Travancore Devaswom Board president P.S. Prasanth has been granted bail on medical grounds in the Sabarimala gold theft case. The Kollam Vigilance Court granted him bail after he sought advanced treatment.

The SIT arrested Prasanth on July 23. He is the 17th accused in the case. The SIT alleges that he was part of a conspiracy to illegally remove gold-plated panels from Sabarimala. The panels were allegedly sent to a Chennai firm in 2021 to conceal a 2019 gold theft.