ED Conducts Multi-State Raids in Sabarimala Gold Theft and Money Laundering Case

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Tuesday launched a sweeping crackdown across three states in connection with the alleged theft of gold from the Sabarimala temple and the suspected laundering of proceeds linked to the crime. The coordinated operation, carried out under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), involved searches at around 21 locations spread across Kerala, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu, triggering widespread attention.

Sources indicate that the federal agency is examining premises associated with the main accused, Unnikrishnan Potti, in Bengaluru, along with locations linked to former Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) chairman A Padmakumar. The ED recently took cognisance of an FIR registered by the Kerala Police and subsequently filed a money laundering case to probe the financial trail connected to the alleged crime.

The case, which has significant political and religious sensitivity, is already under investigation by a Special Investigation Team (SIT) constituted by the Kerala government and functioning under the supervision of the Kerala High Court. The probe covers a series of alleged irregularities, including official misconduct, administrative failures, and a criminal conspiracy to siphon off gold from sacred artefacts belonging to the Lord Ayyappa temple.

What the Case Is About

At the heart of the investigation is an alleged, well-orchestrated conspiracy to steal gold from ornaments and ritual objects housed in the revered Sabarimala shrine. Investigators are examining multiple layers of wrongdoing, including:

• Administrative lapses: Serious negligence at both the temple administration and Devaswom Board levels.
• Official misconduct: Abuse of authority by individuals holding official and board positions.
• Criminal conspiracy: A planned effort to misappropriate the temple’s valuable assets.

Expanding Scope of the Probe

The investigation initially began on the basis of an FIR registered by the Kerala Police. While the SIT continues its inquiry under the oversight of the Kerala High Court, the discovery of strong indicators of financial irregularities and possible money laundering prompted the ED to step in. By registering a case under the PMLA, the agency has now launched an independent financial investigation aimed at tracing illicit proceeds and identifying beneficiaries.

Political and Public Repercussions

Given Sabarimala’s deep religious significance and its central place in Kerala’s socio-political landscape, the case has sparked intense debate and political unease. The ED’s action against individuals linked to the Travancore Devaswom Board has further heightened tensions within political circles. Through these raids, the agency aims to uncover financial transactions that may have been carried out using money generated from the alleged theft of gold from the temple, potentially exposing a wider network behind the scandal.