Kochi :
The long-running Sabarimala gold theft case has entered a decisive new phase with the Enforcement Directorate (ED) formally stepping in to investigate the matter. The Kochi zonal unit of the ED has received clearance from the Central Government to register a case and begin a full-fledged probe under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).
With the ED expected to file its Preliminary Information Report (PIR) in the coming days, the case—until now handled by a police Special Investigation Team (SIT)—is set to move into a far more serious and expansive legal territory. The ED’s entry has reportedly triggered anxiety among several influential individuals, amid fears that evidence allegedly suppressed or ignored by the SIT may now be unearthed.
Background of the Case
The controversy centres on the theft and illegal diversion of gold and valuables from the Sabarimala temple, one of the most revered pilgrimage centres in India. From the outset, allegations suggested that the crime could not have been executed by a single employee and that a larger, well-organised network was involved.
The police SIT identified Unnikrishnan Potti, a Devaswom Board employee, as the prime accused. However, critics—including political leaders and civil society voices—have consistently argued that limiting the case to one individual grossly underestimates the scale of the crime.
ED’s Initial Findings
According to preliminary assessments by the ED:
- The gold theft is allegedly linked to large-scale money laundering running into several crores of rupees.
- Illicit proceeds are suspected to have been routed through business entities and individuals across Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Karnataka.
- The agency believes the offence goes far beyond theft and constitutes a systematic financial crime with inter-state ramifications.
The ED is expected to begin its investigation by taking Unnikrishnan Potti into custody for detailed interrogation, but officials indicate that the probe will not end with him.
Key Individuals and Financial Trail
The ED plans to scrutinise the financial records of:
- Pankaj Bhandari, a businessman based in Chennai
- Govardhan, a gold merchant from Bellary
Their businesses and transactions are suspected to be connected to the laundering of proceeds from the stolen gold. Bank accounts, property documents, and business ledgers are expected to come under close examination.
Political and High-Level Allegations
The agency is also taking seriously the grave allegations raised by former Kerala Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala, who has claimed the involvement of a prominent expatriate businessman.
- The ED is likely to record Chennithala’s statement in detail.
- Financial dealings of the businessman named by him will also be examined as part of the money trail analysis.
Sources indicate that the ED’s intervention has come with the approval of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, underlining the seriousness with which the Centre views the case.
Focus on Devaswom Board Officials
Under the leadership of the Additional Director of the ED, Kochi, a dedicated investigation team will be constituted shortly. Former Travancore Devaswom Board officials, including:
- Murari Babu
- K.S. Baiju
- D. Sudheesh Kumar
are expected to be questioned. Investigators believe this could expose internal collusion and institutional failures within the Board.
Possible Expansion of the Probe
There are strong indications that the ED investigation may extend to former Devaswom Minister Kadakampally Surendran and former Board presidents A. Padmakumar and N. Vasu, whose names have surfaced repeatedly in connection with administrative decisions taken during the relevant period.
If the ED establishes that the crime was planned, protected, or facilitated at higher political or bureaucratic levels, it could have serious political consequences for the Pinarayi Vijayan government.
What Lies Ahead
Once a PMLA case is formally registered:
- The ED can move to attach and confiscate properties of the accused.
- Custodial interrogations, asset freezes, and inter-state raids are likely.
- The narrative may shift from a simple theft to one of the most serious temple-related financial crimes in Kerala’s history.
Investigators suspect that a powerful gold-smuggling and money-laundering network exploited faith and religious trust for profit. With the ED now in charge, that network is expected to face its toughest legal test yet.
Observers believe the era of shielding “untouchables” in the Sabarimala gold theft case may finally be coming to an end.
