Overview
- The Enforcement Directorate searched locations across Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka, including premises linked to prime accused Unnikrishnan Potti, former TDB president A. Padmakumar, the Travancore Devaswom Board headquarters, jewellers, and Smart Creations in Chennai.
- The ED’s PMLA case, registered on January 9, targets alleged laundering of proceeds, with officials probing claims that gold‑clad artefacts were recorded as copper and the gold chemically extracted at private units in Chennai and Karnataka.
- Under High Court orders, the Kerala Police SIT will conduct an on‑site inspection at Sabarimala on January 20 to measure door panels and gather evidence, with detailed statements from VSSC experts to be recorded.
- A VSSC chemical analysis cited by the court found nickel and acrylic polymer layers on later‑plated components, unlike the 1998 originals, reinforcing prima facie evidence of tampering and substitution.
- The SIT has arraigned 13 accused, including chief priest Kandararu Rajeevaru and former Travancore Devaswom Board officials, and the case is next listed before the High Court on February 9.