Sabarimala Gold Smuggling: ED Conducts Raids at 21 Locations Across Three States

Pathanamthitta: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has initiated significant action in the Sabarimala gold smuggling case, conducting swift raids at a total of 21 locations across Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Karnataka.

The raids are underway at the residences of key accused individuals, including former Devaswom Board President A. Padmakumar, Unnikrishnan Potty, and N. Vasu.

Further intensifying the investigation, ED officials are also conducting searches at the residence and business establishment of Pankaj Bhandari, owner of Smart Creation in Chennai, and the home of gold merchant Govardhan in Bellary. The operation involves a large contingent of officers deployed from various parts of the country, signifying the widespread nature of the inquiry.

While previous SIT inspections in many of these locations raise questions about the potential recovery of new documents, the ED’s registration of an ECIR (Enforcement Case Information Report) grants the agency the authority to seize assets. Reports suggest that these raids might extend to the homes of individuals not yet formally listed as accused. The primary focus of these meticulously planned and highly secretive inspections is on identifying money laundering transactions and scrutinizing the financial transfer details of the accused. Information also confirms that a raid is currently being conducted at the Devaswom Board office in Thiruvananthapuram.