Sabarimala Gold Heist: ED to Launch Money Laundering Investigation

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) will register a case under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) in connection with the Sabarimala gold loss after receiving documents from the police Special Investigation Team (SIT). The ED has identified Unnikrishnan Potti as the prime suspect.

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has been authorized to register a case under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) related to the high-profile Sabarimala gold theft. This development follows a court's approval permitting the ED to acquire pivotal documents filed by the Special Investigation Team (SIT) handling the case.

The ED will soon obtain copies of First Information Reports and remand reports to bolster their inquiry into the alleged embezzlement of gold associated with Sabarimala's sacred relics. A preliminary probe already points to prime accused Unnikrishnan Potti and associates being in possession of illicit proceeds.

While the SIT opposed the ED's parallel investigation, the Vigilance court validated the ED's mandate to probe the liaison with money laundering. Amid political pressures, the BJP calls for a CBI inquiry to ensure transparency in unraveling the incident.

(With inputs from agencies.)