Gold theft case: ED begins probe, investigation set to reach top levels

KOCHI: With the confirmation of money laundering linked to the Sabarimala gold theft case, it has become certain that the Enforcement Directorate (ED) will widen its investigation to include big shots. There are indications that the ED may also move to seize the assets of those named as accused by the Special Investigation Team (SIT).

Following approval from the Union Home Ministry to the ED’s Kochi unit to investigate the gold theft case, an Enforcement Case Information Report (ECIR) was prepared yesterday. ED sources said the ECIR will be submitted to the court today after an investigating officer is appointed. The investigating officer will be appointed by the ED Additional Director. Those already arrested and named as accused by the SIT will also be named in the ECIR.

In the first phase, the ED is expected to question Unnikrishnan Potty, former Devaswom Board president A. Padmakumar, and administrative officer B. Murari Babu with the permission of the court. Their financial transactions during the period of the gold theft will be examined in detail. The probe will focus on where the money came from, who they dealt with, and how the transactions were carried out.

The investigation is expected to widen from Devaswom Board presidents, members, and senior officials who were in charge during the period of the scam to even former Devaswom Minister Kadakampally Surendran. Those who assisted the fraud and those who received a share of the money will also be identified. If sufficient evidence emerges, the Enforcement Directorate can question senior figures linked to the Devaswom at the time and may even carry out arrests if required.

There are indications that a preliminary check has already been carried out into the financial dealings of Unnikrishnan Potty, A. Padmakumar, B. Murari Babu, Chennai-based Smart Creations owner Pankaj Bhandari, and Karnataka-based jewellery owner Govardhan, who are believed to be the main planners of the fraud. More documents, including bank records, will be collected.

Case likely to take a new turn
The Union Home Ministry gave permission to register the case based on SIT investigation details collected through the court and information from the ED’s preliminary inquiry. With the ED stepping in, the nature of the case is expected to change, and it may also take a political turn. The state government is not supportive of a central agency investigation. Meanwhile, a petition seeking a CBI probe into the case is under consideration by the High Court.