ED Interrogates Former TDB Chief in Sabarimala Gold Theft Investigation
The Directorate of Enforcement (ED) conducted a significant interrogation of N Vasu, the former president of the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB), on Tuesday in connection with the high-profile Sabarimala gold heist case. Vasu presented himself at the ED's Kochi office in the morning and underwent extensive questioning that lasted for several hours.
Expanding Investigation Targets Temple Priest
In a parallel development, the ED has issued a directive to Sabarimala tanthri Kandararu Rajeevaru, requiring his appearance before the agency. According to informed sources, the temple priest is expected to be questioned within this week itself. This move indicates the investigation is broadening to include key religious figures associated with the temple administration.
Background of Arrests and Bail Proceedings
N Vasu was previously arrested by the special investigation team (SIT) that is probing the gold theft case. However, he secured bail from the Kollam vigilance court after the SIT failed to file a chargesheet within the mandatory 90-day period following his arrest. Similarly, Kandararu Rajeevaru was arrested by the SIT on January 9 and subsequently granted bail in the same case.
Previous Interrogations and Search Operations
The ED has already questioned several other individuals connected to this complex case. These include former TDB administrative officer Murari Babu and former TDB secretary S Jayasree. Additionally, the agency interrogated actor Jayaram regarding his alleged connections with prime accused Unnikrishnan Potti.
As part of their comprehensive investigation, the ED conducted coordinated search operations at 21 different locations across Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Karnataka. These searches were specifically aimed at uncovering evidence related to the misappropriation of gold and other valuable temple assets belonging to the Sabarimala temple.
Legal Framework and Investigation Origins
The ED's investigation is grounded in multiple First Information Reports (FIRs) originally registered by the Kerala crime branch. The agency formally registered an Enforcement Case Information Report (ECIR) on January 9, 2026, after obtaining necessary judicial approval from the court.
Revelations from Preliminary Investigation
Initial findings from the ED investigation have uncovered disturbing details about the gold theft operation. According to agency officials, gold-clad sacred artefacts were systematically misrepresented as 'copper plates' in official temple records. This deliberate misclassification facilitated their unlawful removal from the temple premises between 2019 and 2025.
The investigation further revealed that the stolen gold underwent chemical processing at private facilities located in Chennai and Karnataka. This extraction process generated substantial proceeds of crime, which were then allegedly retained, transferred, and concealed through various means.
The Sabarimala gold heist case continues to unfold as the ED intensifies its probe into what appears to be a sophisticated network involved in the systematic plundering of temple assets over several years.
