Earlier, the Ranni magistrate court had denied the ED's request for FIR, citing the Kerala High Court's supervision of the investigation.
Published Nov 13, 2025 | 2:38 PM ⚊ Updated Nov 13, 2025 | 2:38 PM
Sabarimala temple. Credit: iStock
Synopsis: The Enforcement Directorate is set to initiate a major corruption probe into Sabarimala gold scam. The agency will file ECIR via Kollam court. Earlier, former Devaswom president N Vasu was arrested as a third accused for falsely recording gold as copper. The SIT has signalled more arrests. Meanwhile, Kerala High Court has demanded full service dossier on new Sabarimala police controller R Krishnakumar.
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) is set to launch a detailed probe into the Sabarimala gold scam, marking a central-level investigation into the case.
The agency plans to file an application before the Kollam vigilance court, which currently handles the case under the Prevention of Corruption Act.
After obtaining the necessary documents, the ED will register an Enforcement Case Information Report (ECIR) to examine suspected black money transactions.
Earlier, the Ranni magistrate court had denied the ED’s request for FIR, citing the Kerala High Court’s supervision of the investigation.
The agency now intends to appeal that decision.
The HC had previously ordered a detailed probe into possible links with international antique smuggling networks, a line of inquiry the ED believes could expose major financial irregularities.
Former Devaswom Board president and commissioner N Vasu was arrested on Tuesday, 11 November, in connection with the Sabarimala gold theft case, making him the third accused.
The SIT found that during Vasu’s tenure as commissioner, gold was falsely recorded as copper.
Vasu, questioned over two days at the Eanchakkal office, was taken into custody after failing to explain document alterations. He will be produced before the magistrate on Tuesday.
Earlier, board officials Unnikrishnan Potti, Murari Babu, and Sudheesh Kumar were arrested.
Murari Babu and Sudheesh Kumar told investigators that all actions took place with Vasu’s knowledge. The SIT has hinted at more arrests soon.
The SIT interrogated Vasu on 2 November, a day before Potti’s arrest in a second case related to the theft of gold from the temple’s door frames.
He had earlier been arrested in connection with the theft from the Dwarapalaka idols.
Investigators revealed that Potti had sent an email to Vasu on 9 December 2019, claiming he had leftover gold after completing the temple works and seeking permission to use it for the marriage of girls in need.
Vasu has admitted receiving the email but maintained that he forwarded it to the Thiruvabharanam Commissioner and the Sabarimala Executive Officer for further action, without following up on the matter.
The SIT, however, suspects that the correspondence was part of an attempt to fabricate a cover-up story.
Meanwhile, the Kerala High Court has directed the ADGP who serves as the chief police coordinator for Sabarimala, to submit a comprehensive report on the appointment of the new police controller at Sabarimala, R. Krishnakumar.
The Devaswom Bench instructed that the report should include complete details of Krishnakumar’s service record, performance, character, and whether any disciplinary proceedings have been initiated against him during his career.
In addition to this, the court has sought information about other senior police officers currently posted at Pampa and Sabarimala temple, specifically those who have served in these key positions for more than two consecutive years.
