While the probe initially drew attention for suspected gold-related looting, the ED clarified that its focus goes far beyond that.
Published Jan 20, 2026 | 3:16 PM ⚊ Updated Jan 20, 2026 | 3:16 PM
Sabarimala temple. Credit: iStock
Synopsis: According to the agency, serious irregularities have been detected in the handling of donations received at Sabarimala, as well as in the utilisation of funds by the Travancore Devaswom Board. Based on these findings, the ED has decided to carry out an in-depth investigation into temple finances.
The multi-location raids being conducted by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) has been named as “Operation Golden Shadow”, indicating a significant widening of its investigation into alleged financial irregularities linked to the Sabarimala temple.
While the probe initially drew attention for suspected gold-related looting, the ED clarified that its focus goes far beyond that.
According to the agency, serious irregularities have been detected in the handling of donations received at Sabarimala, as well as in the utilisation of funds by the Travancore Devaswom Board. Based on these findings, the ED has decided to carry out an in-depth investigation into temple finances.
This would bring all financial transactions of previous Devaswom Board administrations under scrutiny.
The agency also plans to examine past sponsorships and offerings associated with Sabarimala, potentially expanding the scope of the probe considerably.
The ED said it believes irregularities have been occurring for years under the guise of offerings, rituals, donations and sponsorships.
The investigation is being conducted under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), and the agency claimed it aims to uncover the full scale of alleged money laundering using the temple ecosystem.
Officials indicated that the widened probe could implicate several prominent individuals as the investigation progresses.
Meanwhile, the ED on Tuesday, 20 January, carried out raids at several locations in Chennai as part of its investigation into the Sabarimala gold theft case, bringing Tamil Nadu into focus in the high-profile probe.
Jewellery shops in areas such as Ambattur and Vepery were searched from early morning, sources said.
The raids were conducted simultaneously in Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Karnataka after the agency registered a money-laundering case earlier this month.
According to officials, Chennai is suspected to have played a key role in the alleged illegal processing of gold removed from sacred artefacts at the Sabarimala temple. Investigators claim that gold-clad components were falsely recorded as copper in official records and later taken out of the temple.
The gold was allegedly extracted using chemical processes at private facilities in Chennai and neighbouring states, generating illegal proceeds.
The ED said the searches in Chennai are aimed at tracing the money trail, identifying those who benefited from the alleged crime and seizing documents and digital evidence.
(With inputs from Sreelakshmi Soman, and Veni EN)
