In the midst of the widening probe into the gold misappropriation scandal in Sabarimala, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Tuesday launched simultaneous raids at 21 sites in Kerala, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. The move represents a major turning point in the probe, which has been extended far past theft allegations and now includes an investigation into money laundering, subject to the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).
Massive Cross-Border Coordination
Beginning in the early hours of Tuesday, January 20, 2026, the operation involved more than 100 federal officers. The focus in Pathanamthitta was on the residence of the previous president of Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) A. Padmakumar of Aranmula. Coinciding with this, teams arrived at Devaswom Board headquarters in Thiruvananthapuram and other prominent suspects' residences.
Key locations under the scanner are:
- Pathanamthitta: Home of A. Padmakumar (Former TDB President).
- Thiruvananthapuram: Devaswom Board headquarters and residences of N. Vasu, K.P. Shankaradas, and prime accused Unnikrishnan Potti.
- Kottayam: Residence of Murari Babu.
- Chennai: Offices of ‘Smart Creations,' a company reportedly engaged in temple gold-plating works.
Bellary (Karnataka): Residence of gold trader Govardhan.
#WATCH | Pathanamthitta, Kerala: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) is conducting raids at 21 locations across the state in connection with the gold smuggling case.
— ANI (@ANI) January 20, 2026
(Visuals from outside the residence of former Devaswom Board President Padmakumar in Pathanamthitta) pic.twitter.com/lB4SVgLQxk
The Genesis of the Probe
The case, officially dubbed the Sabarimala Gold Theft or Smuggling Case, deals with the alleged misappropriation of around 4.54 kilograms of gold from the sanctum sanctorum (Sreekovil) and from the Dwarapalaka (guardian deity) idols of the hill shrine. The irregularities are alleged to have taken place during the work to plate and clad gold in 2019.
While a State Special Investigation Team (SIT) has been conducting the criminal probe, the ED issued an Enforcement Case Information Report (ECIR) early this month in an effort to follow the “proceeds of crime.” Investigators suspect that gold stolen was laundered by a number of jewelers and shell entities, while the money was transported out of state.
Political and Administrative Consequences
The raids have rocked Kerala’s political landscape. Prime accused Unnikrishnan Potti, also formerly under SIT custody, is facing harsh questioning about his financial transactions. Former TDB presidents and members appointed during the last administration have given fresh firepower to the opposition.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah had previously called for a central agency probe, saying such a SIT investigation was "a move to shield big fish" in the administration. ED’s admission follows an important ruling from the Kollam Vigilance Court that enabled it to access case papers in the face of aggressive opposition from the state government.
The State of Investigation: the Present Status
While ED performed its financial audit and searches, the SIT arrived at Sannidhanam today and with court permission took physical measurements of gold sheets at temple structures and collected samples for forensic testing. Due to documents seized during the raids today, the ED is expected to issue provisional attachment orders on the properties and bank accounts belonging to the accused. As the money trail reaches into Chennai and Bellary, the authorities are beginning to analyze whether this was a single incident or part of a larger syndicate aimed at temple resources.
