Court Orders Polygraph Tests for Six Staff in Padmanabhaswamy Temple Gold Theft Case

Thiruvananthapuram, Nov 2025 : In a significant development in the Padmanabhaswamy Temple gold theft case, the Thiruvananthapuram Judicial Magistrate Court has ordered polygraph (lie-detector) tests on six temple employees linked to the disappearance of gold from the temple’s strong room.

The Padmanabhaswamy Temple—one of India’s wealthiest and most revered shrines—has long operated under strict surveillance and court-monitored administration following earlier Supreme Court directives on safeguarding its priceless treasures. The latest order marks a key step forward in the ongoing effort to resolve the mystery surrounding missing gold that was removed for renovation work.

The directive came after the Fort Police, who are investigating the case, submitted an application seeking permission for the tests. According to investigators, the lie-detector examinations may help clarify the circumstances under which the gold went missing and assist in identifying inconsistencies in the statements of the staff under scrutiny.

Police reports state that approximately 13 sovereigns (around 104 grams) of gold disappeared between May 7 and May 10 this year. The gold had been taken out for the gilding of the Sreekovil (sanctum sanctorum) door, a routine restoration process. The anomaly was discovered by the temple manager, who subsequently filed an official complaint after detecting the shortage.

During the investigation, the police recovered a portion of the missing gold—identified as gold bars—buried in the sand within the temple premises. Officials believe the recovered material is part of the stolen or concealed stock, though the motive and exact sequence of events remain unclear.

The court, while granting permission for the polygraph tests, emphasized that written consent must be obtained from all six employees before the procedure is conducted. Although polygraph results are not admissible as evidence in court, they often serve as a useful tool for investigators to verify statements and detect inconsistencies during complex probes.

The ongoing investigation also coincides with recent developments in another temple-related gold theft case. A Special Investigation Team (SIT), appointed by the Kerala High Court, recently arrested four individuals—including three employees of the Travancore Devaswom Board—in the Sabarimala temple gold theft case, further highlighting concerns over security lapses in temple administrations.

With the court’s latest order, the Padmanabhaswamy Temple probe has entered a decisive phase, raising hopes that the mystery behind the missing gold will soon be unraveled.