Archive · 14 Aug 2026
Sabarimala Gold Probe Officer SP Sasidharan Receives President's Medal
A police officer in India got a very special medal for doing an important job.
His name is S Sasidharan, and he is a Superintendent of Police.
The medal is called the President's Medal for Distinguished Service.
He was asked by a big court to investigate missing gold at a famous temple in Kerala called Sabarimala.
People said gold was lost from the temple's guardian idol figures and the doorframes of its holy room.
The country's government gives these medals every year around Independence Day.
This year, 11 officers from Kerala got President's medals.
Mr. Sasidharan is the only one from Kerala to get the top medal.
The investigation is almost finished, and official charges may be filed in two cases soon.
SP S Sasidharan, investigating officer in the Sabarimala gold loss cases, has been awarded the President's Medal for Distinguished Service.
The Union government announced on Friday that 11 officers from Kerala Police, Fire and Rescue Services, and Prison and Correctional Services were selected for President's medals.
Sasidharan is the lone officer from Kerala to receive the President's Medal for Distinguished Service this year.
The Kerala High Court appointed him last year to investigate the alleged loss of gold from the Dwarapalaka idols and doorframes of the Sreekovil at the Sabarimala temple.
The Sabarimala gold loss probe has entered its final stage, with charge sheets in two cases expected to be filed soon.
- Who
- SP S Sasidharan, the investigating officer in the Sabarimala gold loss cases, along with other officers from Kerala Police, Fire and Rescue Services, and Prison and Correctional Services.
- What
- Sasidharan was awarded the President's Medal for Distinguished Service, with 11 Kerala officers selected for various President's Police and Fire Service Medals.
- When
- Announced on Friday as part of the Independence Day celebrations.
- Where
- Kerala, India; the investigation concerns the Sabarimala temple.
- Why
- For distinguished service, including his court-appointed investigation into the alleged loss of gold from the Sabarimala temple's Dwarapalaka idols and Sreekovil doorframes.
- Award
- President's Medal for Distinguished Service
- Recipient
- SP S Sasidharan, investigating officer in the Sabarimala gold loss cases
- Announcement
- Made by the Union government on Friday as part of Independence Day celebrations
- Kerala officers honoured
- 11 officers from Kerala Police, Fire and Rescue Services, and Prison and Correctional Services
- Appointing body
- Kerala High Court, which appointed Sasidharan last year
- Case details
- Alleged loss of gold from Dwarapalaka idols and doorframes of the Sreekovil at Sabarimala temple
- Probe status
- Final stage; charge sheets in two cases expected to be filed soon
- Earlier role
- Part of the 2022 Elanthoor human-sacrifice case investigation as Deputy Commissioner of Kochi City Police