CBI probe sought into Sabarimala gold-plated idol issue

A day after the Kerala High Court ordered the constitution of a special investigation team (SIT) to probe the alleged irregularities that led to a reduction in the weight of gold-clad copper coverings of the Dwarapalaka idols at the Sabarimala Ayyappa temple, a petition was filed on Tuesday seeking an inquiry by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) into the issue.

In his petition, Kollam native R. Rajendran alleged that there appeared to be many irregularities that led to their weight reducing by 4.5 kg since 2019. In this situation, a CBI probe is needed to unearth the facts, he said.