Thiruvananthapuram, Nov 8 – In a move that could bring the mystery of missing gold in Kerala’s Padmanabhaswamy Temple closer to a conclusion, a local court has ordered lie‑detector tests on six temple staff members.
The decision came from the Thiruvananthapuram Judicial Magistrate Court after the Fort Police, who are investigating the case, asked for the order.
Padmanabhaswamy Temple, sometimes called the “Treasure Temple,” sits in the capital city of Kerala and is one of India’s richest shrines. It has been under strict court‑managed control since the Supreme Court ordered a review of its treasury.
The new directive follows a separate wave of investigations at the Sabarimala temple, where a Special Investigation Team appointed by the Kerala High Court has arrested four suspects, including three employees of the Travancore Devaswom Board.
According to police, about 13 sovereigns of gold – roughly 104 grams – went missing from the temple’s strong room between May 7 and May 10. The temple’s management filed a complaint when the shortfall was noticed.
During the probe, the police found gold bars buried in sand on temple grounds, believed to be part of the missing stash.
The magistrate court said that each of the six staff members must give written consent before the polygraph tests are carried out. While lie‑detector results are not admissible as direct evidence, they can help investigators check if statements are consistent and flag possible contradictions.
Police officials said they will finish the forensic work soon and hope the polygraph findings will reveal whether the gold was stolen, misplaced or simply hidden during renovation work around the Sreekovil, the temple’s sanctum.
With the court’s order, investigators are entering a decisive phase that could finally solve the puzzle of Padmanabhaswamy Temple’s missing gold.
Source: ianslive
Stay informed on all the latest news, real-time breaking news updates, and follow all the important headlines in world News on Latest NewsX. Follow us on social media Facebook, Twitter(X), Gettr and subscribe our Youtube Channel.
