Thiruvananthapuram: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) is preparing to record the statements of the accused and other individuals connected to the Sabarimala gold theft case. The move follows legal advice received by the agency to issue notices to around twelve persons, including Former Devaswom Minister and CPI(M) leader Kadakampally Surendran. The ED is planning detailed rounds of questioning as part of its expanding probe. However, Surendran is expected to be summoned only after a period of about two weeks, once the initial phase of interrogations is completed.
In the first phase, the agency is likely to question key accused and witnesses, including Unnikrishnan Potty, Karnataka-based jeweller Govardhan, Chennai Smart Creations owner Pankaj Bhandari, and former Travancore Devaswom Board administrative officer Murari Babu. The same type of summons being issued to witnesses will also be sent to Kadakampally Surendran. His questioning is expected to take place after the primary accused have been examined in detail. Meanwhile, Tantri (head priest) Kandarar Rajeevar will not be included in the current list of persons to be questioned. The Special Investigation Team (SIT) of the Crime Branch has already framed religious-related charges against him. The allegation in this regard is that he permitted the removal of the Kattalapalli (door frame) and Dwarapalaka sculptures (Guardian murtis) without what was described as divine sanction.
At the same time, the ED has issued notices to several accused individuals and institutions seeking clarification regarding documents seized during recent inspections conducted at multiple locations in connection with the case. Further action will depend on the responses received to these notices. The core allegation centres on the suspected misappropriation of gold used for the Kattilapalli and Dwarapalaka sculptures at the Sabarimala Sannidhanam. According to findings of the Crime Branch SIT, there was an estimated shortfall of approximately 4.54 kilograms of gold. The ED had recently carried out coordinated raids at 21 locations across Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Karnataka, after which notices were dispatched to concerned parties seeking explanations about the recovered materials and financial records.
Among those named as principal accused are Unnikrishnan Potty, former Devaswom Board president A. Padmakumar, and K. P. Sankaradas. The sixth accused, former administrative officer S. Sreekumar, was granted bail recently by the Kollam Vigilance Court. A significant focus of the ED’s investigation is to determine whether Kadakampally Surendran had any financial transactions or indirect dealings with Unnikrishnan Potty and to trace the alleged destination of unaccounted funds generated through the gold-related contracts.
The gold wrapping contract had reportedly been awarded to a Chennai-based firm, Smart Creations, and investigators suspect major discrepancies in both gold quantity and associated finances.
Investigators are also examining whether funds received through the gold-plating contract were diverted to political figures and Devaswom officials. The decision to issue a notice to former minister Kadakampally Surendran reportedly stems from findings suggesting his close association with the primary accused, Unnikrishnan Potty. Earlier inquiries conducted by the Devaswom Vigilance wing and the Crime Branch did not yield conclusive evidence regarding the reduction in gold quantity. However, with the central agency now actively pursuing the matter, the scope of the investigation has widened considerably, placing several senior political personalities and administrative figures under increased scrutiny.
