Sabarimala gold loss probe officer receives President’s Medal for distinguished service

Mangalore Today News Network

Thiruvananthapuram, Aug. 14, 2026: Superintendent of Police S. Sasidharan, the investigating officer in the Sabarimala gold loss cases, has been awarded the President’s Medal for Distinguished Service, the Union Government announced on Friday.

As part of the Independence Day honours, a total of 11 personnel from the Kerala Police, Fire and Rescue Services, and Prison and Correctional Services have been selected for various President’s Police and Fire Service Medals.

Sasidharan is the only officer from Kerala to receive the President’s Medal for Distinguished Service this year.

The Kerala High Court had appointed him last year to investigate cases relating to the alleged loss of gold from the Dwarapalaka (guardian deity) idols and doorframes of the Sreekovil (sanctum sanctorum) at the Sabarimala temple.

Earlier, while serving as Deputy Commissioner of Police in Kochi City, Sasidharan was part of the investigation team that probed the sensational 2022 Elanthoor human sacrifice case.

Several other officers have been selected for the Medal for Meritorious Service. They include IG Rajpal Meena, SP Binu Ramakrishna Pillai, DSP Ravikumar V.R., SP Ujjual Kumar S., Sub-Inspector Jyothish Kumar S.L. and DSP Suresh Babu S.S.

From the Fire and Rescue Services, Assistant Station Officers Rajendran Nair and Sebastian Joseph N. have been chosen for the honour.

Assistant Superintendent Sunil S. Kumar and Prison Officer Mohandas M.K. from the Prison and Correctional Services have also been selected for the Medal for Meritorious Service.

Meanwhile, the investigation into the Sabarimala gold loss cases has entered its final phase, with charge sheets in two cases expected to be filed shortly.