Sabarimala gold theft case: ED registers Enforcement Case Information Report under PMLA

Close on the heels of the Union government granting consent to register a case in the Sabarimala gold theft case, the Kochi unit of the Directorate of Enforcement (ED) has reportedly registered an ECIR (Enforcement Case Information Report) under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).

The Central agency’s intervention comes at a time when the politically sensitive case is already being investigated by a special investigation team (SIT) under the supervision of the Kerala High Court. As many as 12 persons have been arrested so far.

An officer of the rank of Joint Director is expected to lead the ED probe. All those named in the cases registered by the State investigative agencies may be arraigned as accused in the ED case as well, with the possibility of more names being added as the investigation progresses. Initially, the State Crime Branch had registered two cases – pertaining to the alleged theft of gold from the Dwarapalaka idols and the temple’s door frame – before the matter was handed over to the High Court-appointed SIT amid political uproar against the State government.

The ED reportedly began preliminary inquiries into the alleged theft in October last year after potential money laundering aspects surfaced. The agency subsequently moved a petition before the Kollam Vigilance Court seeking custody of case-related documents. The petition argued that alleged acts of forgery, misappropriation of temple gold, and suspected laundering linked to Sabarimala constituted offences under Section 467 of the Indian Penal Code, a scheduled offence under PMLA.

The agency further stated it was prima facie satisfied that the proceeds of crime were possessed by the prime accused, Unnikrishnan Potti, and others. It assured the court that the documents would remain confidential and not be used for any other purpose.

Despite stiff opposition from the SIT, the court granted the petition, allowing the ED access to the documents. After examining them, the ED sought the Centre’s approval to register its own case. The agency is now expected to record statements from all accused, including Mr. Potti.