Thiruvananthapuram | 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.

As part of the Independence Day celebrations, 11 officers 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 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 cases related to the alleged loss of gold from the Dwarapalaka (guardian deity) idols and doorframes of the Sreekovil (sanctum sanctorum) at the Sabarimala temple.

He was part of the investigation into the 2022 Elanthoor human-sacrifice case while serving as Deputy Commissioner of the Kochi City Police.

IG Rajpal Meena, SP Binu Ramakrishna Pillai, DSP Ravikumar VR, SP Ujjual Kumar S, Sub-Inspector Jyothish Kumar SL and DSP Suresh Babu SS have been selected for the Medal for Meritorious Service.

Assistant Station Officers Rajendran Nair and Sebastian Joseph N of the Fire and Rescue Services have also been selected for the Meritorious Service Medal.

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

The Sabarimala gold loss probe has entered its final stage, with charge sheets in two cases expected to be filed soon.