The investigation into the alleged misappropriation of gold at the Sabarimala Ayyappa temple has intensified as the Enforcement Directorate (ED) launched a series of coordinated raids across Kerala. Codenamed ‘Operation Golden Shadow,’ the federal agency is probing potential money laundering linked to the disappearance of gold-plated artifacts and irregularities within the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB).

Federal Agency Launches Operation Golden Shadow

On Tuesday morning, ED officials conducted simultaneous searches at four key locations, including the headquarters of the Travancore Devaswom Board in Thiruvananthapuram. The operation aimed to secure digital evidence and financial records spanning the last decade. Investigators are specifically looking into the illegal transfer of temple vehicles and the financial trail left by the primary suspects.

Raids were also carried out at the residences of high-profile figures, including former TDB President N. Vasu, Thiruvabharanam Commissioner K. S. Baiju, and the prime accused in the heist, Unnikrishnan Potti. The current TDB administration has reportedly cooperated with the agency, providing access to archived files to facilitate the probe.

Details of the Alleged Gold Misappropriation

The scandal centers on the refurbishing of gold-plated copper claddings, including the Dwarapalaka idols and the door frames of the temple’s sanctum sanctorum. Originally donated in the late 1990s, these items were handed over to Unnikrishnan Potti in 2019 for restoration. However, an internal audit by the TDB Vigilance wing later revealed that the returned items were significantly lighter, with a drastic reduction in gold content.

The Special Investigation Team (SIT) alleges that the gold-plated items were fraudulently miscategorized as pure copper to facilitate their removal from temple premises. Investigators suspect that the original gold was extracted at a factory in Chennai and subsequently sold to a jeweler in Bengaluru.

Political and Administrative Fallout

The probe has led to several high-profile arrests, including senior political figures and former temple administrators. A. Padmakumar, a former MLA and former TDB President, was recently taken into custody by the SIT. His arrest follows that of former Sabarimala Executive Officer Sudheesh Kumar and temple official Murari Babu.

The Kerala High Court, which is monitoring the progress of the SIT, recently granted a six-week extension to complete the investigation. The court emphasized the seriousness and potential ramifications of the case, directing the agency to maintain meticulous diligence in its pursuit of the missing assets.

Next Steps in the Investigation

As forensic analysis reports are awaited, the SIT is expanding its inquiry into transactions from 2014 through 2025. With the ED now investigating the money laundering aspect, the probe is expected to uncover further details regarding the global network involved in the smelting and sale of the temple’s sacred gold.