The gold-covered Dwarapalaka idols within Sabarimala temple have come under intense scrutiny — with multiple investigations launched over the past few days. Fugitive businessman Vijay Mallya had donated a massive amount of gold and copper to the Sabarimala Ayyappa temple in 1998. Several kilograms of gold — used for the original plating of idols and panels within the sanctum sanctorum — now appear to be missing after a restoration bid.

Forensic audits and internal assessments suggest that the plating had returned at least 4.54 kg lighter after unsanctioned repairs in 2019. Mallya had donated approximately 30 kg of gold and 1,900 kg of copper to the temple as offering for beautification efforts. The precious metals were used to create copper panels plated with gold and subsequently fitted

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