The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has officially entered the investigation into the high-profile Sabarimala gold scam, marking a significant escalation in the probe. The central agency registered an Enforcement Case Information Report (ECIR) under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) on Friday, after receiving the necessary approval from the Centre to examine the money laundering angle.
ED Steps In Following Centre's Nod
This move by the ED comes while a Special Investigation Team (SIT) of the Kerala police continues its own inquiry under the supervision of the Kerala High Court. The SIT probe has already led to the arrest of approximately 13 individuals. Notable among those arrested are former Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) president and CPM leader A Padmakumar, and the temple's high priest (tanthri) Kandarau Rajeevaru.
The scandal revolves around the alleged theft of gold from the dwarapalaka (guardian deity) idols and the door frame at the famed Sabarimala temple. The issue gained substantial political traction and was widely debated during recent local body election campaigns.
Legal Tussle Over Investigation Documents
The ED's path to joining the probe involved a legal process. The agency had earlier approached the Kollam Vigilance Court seeking access to documents related to the SIT's investigation. This application was based on an order from a High Court division bench, which had directed that any decision on sharing documents must be made only after hearing the Centre's stance.
In its plea, the ED contended that the gold theft constituted a predicate offence for money laundering, granting it the authority to investigate and attach properties. The SIT, however, initially resisted, arguing that the investigation details were confidential and should not be handed over.
Court Grants ED Access to Crucial Files
In a decisive turn in December, the Vigilance Court ruled in favour of the ED, permitting the agency to access the requested documents. The central agency sought copies of a wide array of records, including:
- First Information Reports (FIRs)
- First information statements
- Remand reports
- Statements of the arrested persons
- All documents seized during the SIT probe
A key argument presented by the ED was that since the SIT had invoked Section 467 of the IPC (pertaining to forgery of valuable security) in the gold theft cases, the offence squarely fell within the ambit of the PMLA.
Next Steps in the Probe
With the ECIR now registered, the ED's investigation is set to proceed. The agency has indicated that it will formally array the persons involved in the predicate offence (the gold theft) as respondents once its probe advances and it uncovers evidence of possible money laundering. This development sets the stage for a parallel and potentially far-reaching investigation by the central agency into the financial trails emerging from the temple theft.
The case continues to unfold under the watchful eye of the judiciary, with both the SIT and the ED now actively investigating different dimensions of the same sensational crime.
