ED to investigate gold theft case; Central agency registers ECIR

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has registered a case after confirming money laundering in the Sabarimala gold theft. The Kollam Vigilance Court had ordered that all the evidence collected by the special investigation team be handed over to the ED. After examining these documents and obtaining permission from the directorate, the ED has now registered the case.

The permission from the directorate was received at the Kochi ED zonal office two days ago. The Enforcement Case Information Report (ECIR) was registered today. ED sources said that after appointing an investigating officer, the ECIR will be submitted to the court today itself.

A case has been registered under various sections of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act. All presently on the list of accused in the case being investigated by the crime branch, including Unnikrishnan Potty, CPM leader Padmakumar, N Vasu, and Murari Babu, will also be included in the list of accused in this case.

The ED will also take action to confiscate their properties, which have been accused by the SIT. The ED additional director will appoint the investigating officer. The first phase will be to question Unnikrishnan Potty, former Devaswom Board President A Padmakumar, Administrative Officer B Murari Babu and others on the list of accused with the permission of the court. Their financial transactions during the gold theft will be examined in detail.

Where the money was received from, with whom the money transactions were made, etc. will be found. The investigation will extend from the devaswom board presidents, members, and high-ranking officials during the period of the fraud to Kadakampally Surendran, who was the then devaswom minister. Those who conspired, those who received the share, etc. will also be found. If evidence is received, the ED can question and arrest high-ranking officials associated with the devaswom at that time, if necessary.

A preliminary investigation has been conducted into the financial transactions of Unnikrishnan Potty, A Padmakumar, B Murari Babu, Pankaj Bhandari, owner of Smart Creations in Chennai and Govardhan, owner of a jewelry store in Karnataka, the conspirators of the fraud. More documents will be collected from banks.