Kochi: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has attached eight immovable properties belonging to Unnikrishnan Potti, the prime accused in the Sabarimala gold scam, with an estimated value of ₹1.3 crore. The action was taken under Section 17(1A) of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002, to prevent the alleged proceeds of crime from being diverted or dissipated.
The agency also seized a 100-gram gold bar from the premises of Smart Creations in Chennai, where electroplating of gold-clad plates linked to the Sabarimala hill shrine was allegedly carried out.
The attachment followed extensive search operations conducted by the ED’s Kochi zonal office on January 20 across 21 locations in Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. These included searches at the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) headquarters and Potti’s residence. The investigation relates to the alleged misappropriation of gold and other valuable assets belonging to the Sabarimala temple.
The ED initiated its probe based on two FIRs filed by the Kerala Crime Branch, which pointed to an organised conspiracy involving senior TDB officials, former temple administrators, private sponsors and jewellers.
In a statement, the agency said it had seized a large volume of incriminating documents and digital evidence. These include mahazars and official records allegedly used to misrepresent gold-clad artefacts, recommendations and orders issued between 2019 and 2024, invoices and payment records of private jewellers, and warranty certificates related to chemical extraction and replating work. The ED said the materials are being examined to determine the exact proceeds of crime, trace the money-laundering trail and identify other beneficiaries.
