What exactly did the High Court of Kerala decide?

The court said it is satisfied with the SIT’s progress in the Sabarimala gold theft case and granted a six-week extension to complete pending work, including scientific testing. This keeps the investigation on a firm, time-bound track and emphasizes the need for thorough documentation and transparent results.

What are VSSC tests in this investigation?

VSSC tests refer to scientific analyses conducted at the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre. In this context, they likely validate purity, composition, and any alterations to the gold. Using a respected facility enhances evidentiary strength, improves chain-of-custody credibility, and supports the SIT’s final reconciliation and reporting to the court.

How does the SIT probe extension affect investors and vendors?

The six-week window signals tighter scrutiny of custody, testing, and record-keeping. Investors should expect stronger compliance demands across jewelers, logistics, and security providers. Vendors with robust controls, independent assays, and clean audit trails stand to gain trust, while those with weak documentation face higher reputational and contractual risk.

What immediate steps should contractors handling temple gold take?

Implement dual-authorization, tamper-evident seals, and independent verification at handovers. Keep timestamped logs, assay certificates, and preserved CCTV. Align insurance to custody risks and clarify liabilities. Run surprise checks and reconcile by lot. Treat these measures as daily practice to meet rising expectations shaped by the High Court of Kerala’s stance.

Law and Government

January 07: Kerala High Court Backs SIT in Sabarimala Gold Probe

ByHuzaifa Zahoor January 7, 2026January 7, 2026

The High Court of Kerala expressed satisfaction with the Special Investigation Team’s progress in the Sabarimala gold theft probe and granted a six-week extension while VSSC tests continue. For Indian investors, this signals tougher governance expectations around custodianship of religious assets. We see rising compliance requirements for jewelers, logistics firms, security providers, appraisers, and insurers that touch temple-linked gold flows. This update helps investors assess reputational and regulatory risk across Kerala’s gold value chain and related service providers.