Sabarimala Gold Theft Case: ED Raids Over 20 Locations In Kerala, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu

Last Updated:January 20, 2026, 09:16 IST

ED raided multiple locations in Kerala, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu in the Sabarimala gold theft case, on Tuesday.

The probe relates to alleged irregularities and a criminal conspiracy to misappropriate gold from various artefacts of the Lord Ayyappa shrine at Sabarimala. (Image: keralatourism.org)

Amid an ongoing probe into the Sabarimala gold theft case, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) carried out searches at over 20 locations across three states on Tuesday morning.

According to the ED, searches were conducted at about 21 locations in Kerala, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). The federal probe agency recently registered a PMLA case after taking cognisance of an FIR filed by the Kerala police.

In Bengaluru, ED officials conducted raids at the Srirampura Ayyappa Temple and the residence of one of its trustees. Teams were seen inspecting premises and examining documents as part of efforts to trace the alleged diversion and misuse of temple gold. Searches were also carried out at premises linked to Unnikrishnan Potti, the main accused in the case.

In Karnataka’s Ballari district, the ED raided Roddham Jewellery, located on Bengaluru Road, which investigators believe is linked to the alleged theft of gold ornaments from the revere shrine.

Earlier, the Kerala Special Investigation Team (SIT) had arrested Govardhan, the owner of the Ballari-based jewellery shop, in connection with the case. The ED also searched Govardhan’s residence in Ballari as well as premises linked to Smart Creations.

Additional raids were conducted at the residence of Sabarimala temple’s tantri (chief priest). In total, searches spanned at least five locations across Bengaluru and Ballari, apart from multiple sites in Kerala, including Thiruvananthapuram. Officials said around 10 ED personnel were involved in some of the coordinated search operations.

The premises linked to former Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) president A Padmakumar are also understood to be among those covered by the ED’s action.

The case, which has political sensitivities, is already being investigated by a Kerala government-appointed SIT under the supervision of the Kerala High Court. The probe relates to alleged irregularities, official misconduct, administrative lapses and a criminal conspiracy to misappropriate gold from various artefacts of the Lord Ayyappa shrine at Sabarimala.

The SIT investigation focuses on the reported loss of gold from the gold-cladded copper plates of the ‘Dwarapalaka’ (guardian deity) idols and the door frames of the ‘Sreekovil’ (sanctum sanctorum).

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