Sabarimala Gold Theft Case: ED Flags 'Fund Fraud' by Travancore Devaswom Board Officials During 2018-19 Festival

Days after accusing "a few officials" of the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) of their alleged involvement in the Sabarimala gold theft and smuggling case, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Friday said TDB officials were also involved in fund embezzlement during the Mandala–Makaravilakku festival period of 2018–19. Ahead of Kerala heading to Assembly polls, the ED has been probing several politically sensitive cases. On Thursday, the main accused in the Sabarimala gold theft case, Unnikrishnan Potty, was released on bail after the SIT failed to file a chargesheet within the stipulated time.The ED said it has provisionally attached properties belonging to Jayaprakash J and Sreeja Jayaprakash, worth Rs 40.48 lakh, in Kollam district. The case stems

from an FIR filed by the Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Branch against J Jayaprakash, former Administrative Officer of the Nilackal Devaswom Board, and other officials of the Travancore Devaswom Board.“During the Mandala–Makaravilakku festival period of 2018–19, forged bills and invoices were created in the name of JP Traders, leading to the sanction of Rs 59,98,029 from Devaswom funds. However, only one cheque of Rs 8.20 lakh was legitimately paid to the actual supplier,” the ED said on Friday.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qHo25IG7sR8

“The remaining three cheques were fraudulently en-cashed, resulting in the misappropriation of Rs 51,77,194 with the assistance of co-accused,” the agency added.

ED Examined Key Witnesses

The probe agency said that between July and December 2025, it examined key witnesses, including the proprietor of JP Traders, other witnesses, and the accused officials. A forensic audit was also carried out.“Investigation showed that out of the proceeds of crime amounting to around Rs 51.77 lakh, Jayaprakash B received Rs 11.28 lakh, while the remaining Rs 40.48 lakh was given to Jayaprakash J,” the ED said.

ED Raided 21 Locations in Kerala, TN in Money-Laundering Case Linked to Sabaramala Gold Theft Case

Last month, the Enforcement Directorate conducted searches at 21 locations across Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Karnataka after registering a money-laundering case linked to the Sabarimala gold theft.“An ECIR was registered on January 9 in this case after obtaining a favourable court order. Preliminary investigation has disclosed that gold-clad sacred artefacts were deliberately misrepresented as ‘copper plates’ in official records and unlawfully removed from the temple premises during the period 2019–2025,” the ED said.The probe further revealed that the gold was allegedly extracted through chemical processes at private facilities in Chennai and Karnataka, generating proceeds of crime that were retained, transferred, and concealed.“The investigation has also revealed indications of other financial irregularities and scams at Sabarimala, including misappropriation related to temple offerings and rituals, which are also being examined under the PMLA framework,” officials said.