The Enforcement Directorate (ED) is preparing to launch a full-scale investigation into the Sabarimala gold scam, elevating the case from a state-level probe to a central financial inquiry.
Officials said the agency will soon approach the Kollam Vigilance Court, where the case is being tried under the Prevention of Corruption Act, to secure access to key documents. Once obtained, the ED intends to register an Enforcement Case Information Report (ECIR) to trace suspected black money transactions linked to the scandal.
The move follows the Ranni Magistrate Court’s refusal to allow the agency to file an FIR earlier, citing ongoing Kerala High Court supervision. The ED is now preparing to appeal that decision.
The High Court had previously ordered a detailed probe into possible international links, including suspected connections to antique smuggling networks, an angle the ED believes could uncover extensive financial irregularities and cross-border money trails.
Meanwhile, the Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the gold theft made a major breakthrough with the arrest of former Travancore Devaswom Board president and commissioner N. Vasu on November 11. Vasu, questioned over two days at the Eanchakkal office, was taken into custody after failing to explain discrepancies in official records. He is the third accused in the case and is expected to be produced before the magistrate on Tuesday.
Also read: SIT arrests Sabarimala ex-officer in gold scam case
Investigators allege that during Vasu’s tenure, gold collected from temple assets was falsely documented as copper, creating massive accounting discrepancies. Previous arrests in the case include Devaswom officials Unnikrishnan Potti, Murari Babu, and Sudheesh Kumar, two of whom have confessed that their actions were carried out with Vasu’s knowledge. The SIT has indicated that more arrests are likely.
According to investigation details, Potti was first interrogated on November 2, a day before his second arrest in another case concerning gold stolen from the temple’s ornate door frames. He had earlier been detained over the disappearance of gold from the Dwarapalaka idols.
“The SIT also uncovered a 2019 email sent by Potti to Vasu, in which he claimed to have leftover gold after completing temple-related work and sought permission to use it for the marriage of underprivileged girls. While Vasu admitted receiving the email, he stated that he forwarded it to the Thiruvabharanam Commissioner and Sabarimala Executive Officer, denying any further involvement,” said a police officer.
Investigators, however, believe the correspondence was part of a deliberate attempt to conceal the misappropriation.
In a related development, the Kerala High Court has directed the Additional Director General of Police (ADGP), who serves as the chief police coordinator for Sabarimala, to submit a detailed report on the appointment of R. Krishnakumar as the new police controller at the shrine. The Devaswom Bench has instructed that the report include Krishnakumar’s complete service record, performance history, and any disciplinary proceedings during his tenure.
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