Sabarimala gold scam: ED attaches Unnikrishnan Potti's assets worth Rs 1.3cr, seizes 100g gold bar from Chennai firm

KOCHI: The Directorate of Enforcement (ED) has attached eight immovable properties of Unnikrishnan Potti, prime accused in Sabarimala gold scam, with an estimated value of Rs 1.3 crore.

The attachment was made under Section 17(1A) of Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002, to prevent dissipation of alleged proceeds of crime.ED also seized a 100g gold bar from premises of Smart Creations in Chennai, where electroplating of gold-clad plates from the hill shrine was allegedly carried out. The attachment followed search operations conducted by ED's Kochi zonal office on Jan 20 on 21 premises across Kerala, TN and Karnataka, including Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) headquarters and Potti's residence, in connection with alleged misappropriation of gold and other assets of the Sabarimala temple.

ED had initiated the probe based on two FIRs registered by the Kerala crime branch, which pointed to a well-orchestrated criminal conspiracy involving senior TDB officials, former temple administrators, private sponsors and jewellers.A statement from the agency said it had seized a large volume of incriminating documents and digital evidence. These include mahazars and official records prepared by TDB officials that allegedly facilitated the misrepresentation of gold-clad artefacts, recommendations and orders issued between 2019 and 2024, invoices and payment documents of private jewellers and warranty certificates related to chemical extraction and replating work.

All seized materials are being scrutinised to quantify the exact proceeds of crime, trace the money-laundering trail and identify additional beneficiaries, it added.