In a significant escalation of the high-profile Sabarimala gold loss investigation, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) has officially registered a money laundering case. This development adds a powerful central agency to the probe, which is already being conducted by a state-level Special Investigation Team (SIT) under the direct supervision of the Kerala High Court.
Deepening Probe into Temple Treasure
The case, which has captured significant public and political attention in Kerala, revolves around the alleged loss of gold and valuable offerings from the famed Sabarimala temple. The filing of the case by the ED on January 9, 2026, marks a pivotal turn, shifting the focus towards tracking the potential financial trails and proceeds of crime linked to the alleged misappropriation.
By invoking the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), the central agency will now have broader powers to investigate, attach assets, and make arrests. This move is expected to run parallel to the ongoing criminal investigation led by the state police SIT.
A Politically Sensitive Investigation
The Sabarimala gold case is inherently politically sensitive, touching upon matters of faith, administration, and public trust. The involvement of the Kerala High Court in monitoring the SIT probe underscores the case's complexity and importance. The ED's entry is likely to intensify scrutiny on the financial networks that may have been used to conceal or transfer the value of the allegedly missing temple assets.
Key aspects the ED is expected to examine include:
- The movement and conversion of the physical gold into monetary assets.
- Bank transactions and shell companies potentially used to layer the proceeds.
- Identifying beneficiaries and conspirators in the alleged laundering scheme.
What Happens Next?
The dual-track investigation, with the SIT focusing on the primary theft or loss and the ED on the financial crime angle, creates a comprehensive legal pincer. Authorities hope this combined approach will not only identify those directly responsible but also recover any illicit gains. The Kerala High Court's continued supervision ensures both probes remain coordinated and on a swift track, amid immense public interest in the outcome of this case concerning one of India's most prominent pilgrimage sites.
