News that fits you

Highlights

  • ED raids 21 locations across three states in Sabarimala gold case
  • Gold from temple artefacts allegedly misrepresented and chemically extracted
  • Probe aims to trace illicit funds, seize evidence, identify beneficiaries

Latest news

G7 summit: PM Modi holds brief conversation with US President Trump

G7 summit: PM Modi holds brief conversation with US President Trump

SC seeks responses of Centre, States on plea for use of Aadhaar as identity proof only

SC seeks responses of Centre, States on plea for use of Aadhaar as identity proof only

India's fiscal policy is evolving to support domestic growth: S&P Global

India's fiscal policy is evolving to support domestic growth: S&P Global

Mediascope Appointed Exclusive India Representative for Future Forum 2026

Mediascope Appointed Exclusive India Representative for Future Forum 2026

NIA Special Public Prosecutor Advocate Gautam Khazanchi Engages Galgotias Law Students on Bail Jurisprudence, Constitutional Safeguards and PMLA

NIA Special Public Prosecutor Advocate Gautam Khazanchi Engages Galgotias Law Students on Bail Jurisprudence, Constitutional Safeguards and PMLA

ISRO Scientists Launch Space Technology & Research Program 2026 at Chandigarh University

ISRO Scientists Launch Space Technology & Research Program 2026 at Chandigarh University

BiteSpeed Partners with Razorpay to Launch Unified AI Conversion and Retention Stack for D2C Brands

BiteSpeed Partners with Razorpay to Launch Unified AI Conversion and Retention Stack for D2C Brands

As Traditional SDE Hiring Slows, These 3 AI Programmes are best for a Career Switch to AI/ML Roles

As Traditional SDE Hiring Slows, These 3 AI Programmes are best for a Career Switch to AI/ML Roles

Sabarimala gold loss case: ED conducts raids in Kerala, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu

The Enforcement Directorate conducted searches across Kerala, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu in connection with the alleged misappropriation of gold from Sabarimala temple. 

Updated: Sep 02, 2022 10:53
|

PTI

Sabarimala gold loss case: ED conducts raids in Kerala, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu

The Enforcement Directorate on Tuesday conducted searches in three states as part of its money laundering investigation into the Sabarimala alleged gold loss case of Kerala, officials said.

About 21 locations across Kerala, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu are being raided under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), they said.

The premises linked to the main accused, Unnikrishnan Potti, in Bengaluru and former Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) president A Padmakumar in Kerala apart from jewellers were covered by the federal probe agency as part of the action.

The ED filed a PMLA case on January 9 taking cognisance of a clutch of Kerala police FIRs. The politically sensitive case is already being investigated by a state Special Investigation Team (SIT) under the supervision of the Kerala High Court.

The probe is related to a series of irregularities, including official misconduct, administrative lapses and a criminal conspiracy to misappropriate the gold from the various artefacts of the Lord Ayyappa shrine.

The charges also include the loss of gold from the gold-cladded copper plates of the 'Dwarapalaka' (guardian deity) idols and the door frames of the 'Sreekovil' (sanctum sanctorum) of the temple.

ED officials said preliminary investigation shows that gold-clad sacred artefacts were deliberately misrepresented as "copper plates" in official records and unlawfully removed from the temple premises between 2019 and 2025.

The gold was allegedly extracted through chemical processes at private facilities in Chennai and Karnataka, generating proceeds of crime which were retained, transferred and concealed, as per the officials.

They said the searches are aimed to trace the alleged illicit funds, identify beneficiaries, seize incriminating documents and digital evidence and "ascertain the full extent" of money laundering involved.

The investigation also indicates alleged financial irregularities and scams at Sabarimala, including misappropriation related to temple offerings and rituals, as per the ED officials.

ADVERTISEMENT

Up Next

Sabarimala gold loss case: ED conducts raids in Kerala, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu

Sabarimala gold loss case: ED conducts raids in Kerala, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu

Abhijeet Dipke slapped during Jaipur protest; 'intimidation tactics', alleges CJP founder

Abhijeet Dipke slapped during Jaipur protest; 'intimidation tactics', alleges CJP founder

3 vessels with Indian seafarers attacked by US Navy; India says these strikes must stop

3 vessels with Indian seafarers attacked by US Navy; India says these strikes must stop

Three missing Indian seafarers onboard MT Settebello confirmed dead: Sonowal

Three missing Indian seafarers onboard MT Settebello confirmed dead: Sonowal

Rs 370 biryani remark: NCW summons More, Jangra over Gurugram comedy show

Rs 370 biryani remark: NCW summons More, Jangra over Gurugram comedy show

'Choose between Abhishek and me': Kalyan issues ultimatum to Mamata amid TMC imbroglio

'Choose between Abhishek and me': Kalyan issues ultimatum to Mamata amid TMC imbroglio

ADVERTISEMENT

editorji-whatsApp

More videos

NDA leaders felicitate Modi as he becomes longest-serving elected PM

NDA leaders felicitate Modi as he becomes longest-serving elected PM

CJP to launch nationwide protest on Thursday, warns of indefinite sit-in

CJP to launch nationwide protest on Thursday, warns of indefinite sit-in

Rebel Trinamool leader Ritabrata claims dissident camp is ‘real TMC’, rules out merger with Congress

Rebel Trinamool leader Ritabrata claims dissident camp is ‘real TMC’, rules out merger with Congress

Dharmendra Pradhan reviews re-NEET preparations, assures students of error-free exam

Dharmendra Pradhan reviews re-NEET preparations, assures students of error-free exam

PM Modi to undertake visit to France, Slovakia; to attend G7 Summit

PM Modi to undertake visit to France, Slovakia; to attend G7 Summit

Rs 6,800-cr Zojila tunnel project in J-K achieves breakthrough in excavation work

Rs 6,800-cr Zojila tunnel project in J-K achieves breakthrough in excavation work

India urges global community to hold Pakistan accountable after deadly PoK violence

India urges global community to hold Pakistan accountable after deadly PoK violence

Rajya Sabha Elections: MP Congress candidate Meenakshi Natarajan's nomination rejected during scrutiny

Rajya Sabha Elections: MP Congress candidate Meenakshi Natarajan's nomination rejected during scrutiny

TMC rebellion spreads from assembly to Parliament, breakaway camp claims support of 20 MPs

TMC rebellion spreads from assembly to Parliament, breakaway camp claims support of 20 MPs

PM announces ex-gratia after eight workers die in Vizag Steel Plant molten iron accident

PM announces ex-gratia after eight workers die in Vizag Steel Plant molten iron accident

Categories

Editorji Technologies Pvt. Ltd. © 2022 All Rights Reserved.