Thiruvananthapuram: The Enforcement Directorate has initiated a formal investigation into the Sabarimala gold robbery case, significantly widening the scope of the probe. An Enforcement Case Information Report (ECIR) has been registered under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), marking the entry of the central agency into a case that has already generated intense political and public scrutiny.
Acting on the ED’s request, the Kollam Vigilance Court ordered the transfer of crucial documents, including the First Information Report (FIR) and remand reports, to the agency. The investigation has also received the necessary central approval. With the case now registered under the PMLA, the ED is expected to focus not only on the financial transactions linked to the gold robbery but also on identifying the key individuals who orchestrated it. The attachment of properties belonging to the accused is likely in the next phase. In the initial stage, the ED will examine the financial dealings of those directly implicated, including Unnikrishnan Potty, Govardhan and Pankaj Bhandari. There is growing apprehension among several political and institutional figures that the ED’s investigation may expose evidence that was previously concealed or downplayed.
The probe is also expected to expand to include former Devaswom Minister Kadakampally Surendran and former Travancore Devaswom Board presidents A. Padmakumar, N. Vasu and P.S. Prashanth. Earlier, the Special Investigation Team (SIT) led by Kerala police had strongly objected to the ED’s move to obtain documents from the court. However, rejecting the SIT’s objections, the Kollam Vigilance Court ordered the documents to be handed over to the ED on December 19, effectively clearing the path for the central agency’s involvement.
According to investigative sources, the questioning of former Travancore Devaswom Board officials Murari Babu, K.S. Baiju and D. Sudheesh Kumar is expected to reveal what has been described as an “unholy collusion” within the board. The ED has stepped in primarily to trace alleged black money transactions connected to the robbery. Officials believe that detailed questioning of the prime accused, Unnikrishnan Potty, along with former Devaswom Board office bearers, could help establish where the proceeds from the sale of the stolen gold ultimately went.
SIT alleges deep-rooted conspiracy, money trail and attempts to evade probe
Meanwhile, the SIT has informed the courts that former Travancore Devaswom Board president A. Padmakumar allegedly conspired with Devaswom officials to facilitate the Sabarimala gold robbery. As part of its investigation, the SIT has moved to freeze Padmakumar’s bank accounts while he remains in remand. The financial sources of all arrested accused are currently under scrutiny. In addition, bank records linked to former Devaswom Minister Kadakampally Surendran are also being examined as part of the widening probe.
According to the SIT, the groundwork for the gold robbery was laid through a year-long plan devised by Padmakumar and Unnikrishnan Potty. Padmakumar is accused of subsequently conspiring with several officials and using various methods to bring them on board. These allegations are detailed in an affidavit submitted by the SIT to the Kollam Vigilance Court while opposing Padmakumar’s bail application in the Dwarapalaka layer theft case.
Initially, the primary allegation against Padmakumar was that he had edited the minutes of the Devaswom Board meetings, thereby creating conditions that enabled the theft. However, investigators now claim to have received information suggesting that Padmakumar may have been rewarded for facilitating the crime. Large sums of illegal money are to have been deposited in his bank accounts, raising suspicions that these funds could be linked to the proceeds of the gold robbery.
As a result, the SIT has frozen Padmakumar’s accounts and is examining bank statements and call detail records (CDRs) of other accused persons. Parallelly, the financial sources of former minister Kadakampally Surendran are also under investigation. The SIT has stated that the conspiracy surrounding the robbery extended across multiple locations and began as early as 2018, involving Potty, Padmakumar and others. In a further revelation, the SIT informed the High Court that Unnikrishnan Potty, Govardhan and Pankaj Bhandari met in Bengaluru last October and conspired to evade the investigation. With the ED now actively probing the money trail, investigators believe that the full extent of the conspiracy, and those who benefited from it, may finally come to light.
BJP questions SIT probe, demands impartial investigation by central agencies
Reacting to the developments, Kummanam Rajasekharan, a National Executive Committee member of the Bharatiya Janata Party, said the investigation into the Sabarimala gold theft must proceed without fear or favour. He stressed that the law should take its course, regardless of whether the accused include ministers, Devaswom officials or even ‘tantris’ (Chief priest). Rajasekharan noted that devotees continue to harbour serious doubts about the SIT’s handling of the case and the reluctance to pursue certain lines of inquiry.
He further pointed out that the investigation has so far not adequately addressed the role of those who allegedly sold the Sabarimala gold ornaments or those who benefited financially from the proceeds. Questions, he said, remain unanswered about what happened after the sale of the gold and who ultimately received a share of the money. Given the national and international dimensions of the case, Rajasekharan argued that it warrants a thorough investigation by central agencies such as the ED and the CBI. He added that opposition to the involvement of national agencies only deepens suspicion that there may be attempts to manipulate or derail the investigation.
Rajasekharan also referred to the arrest of the ‘tantri’ while he was reportedly on his way to perform the Makaravilakku ritual, stating that the timing of the arrest has caused distress and raised doubts among devotees. According to him, the investigation should not stop at lower-level functionaries but must reach the highest levels of political and administrative responsibility. He controversially stated that the probe should extend to senior political figures, including Chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan, asserting that the issue cannot be confined merely to the tantri or temple officials.
