ED Conducts Multi-State Searches in Alleged Sabarimala Temple Gold Misappropriation Case

Background

The Directorate of Enforcement (ED), Kochi Zonal Office, conducted search operations on January 20, 2026, at 21 premises across Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002 (PMLA), in connection with the alleged misappropriation of gold and other assets belonging to the Sabarimala Temple.

The ED initiated its investigation based on two FIRs registered by the Kerala Police Crime Branch, which disclosed a criminal conspiracy involving senior officials of the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB), former temple administrators, private sponsors and jewellers.

According to the ED, preliminary findings indicate that gold-clad sacred artefacts, including Dwarapalaka idol components, peedams and sanctum sanctorum door frame panels, were deliberately misrepresented in official records as “copper plates” and removed unauthorisedly from the temple between 2019 and 2025. These artefacts were allegedly transported to private facilities in Chennai and Karnataka, including Smart Creations and Roddam Jewellers, where gold was extracted through chemical processes under the guise of repair and replating.

The extracted gold and related assets have been identified as Proceeds of Crime. During the searches, ED seized incriminating documents, digital evidence, invoices, official correspondence and warranty certificates. Eight immovable properties of the prime accused, valued at approximately Rs. 1.3 crore, were frozen under Section 17(1A) of the PMLA, and a 100-gram gold bar was seized from premises in Chennai.