ED Raids Across 21 Locations in Sabarimala Gold Loss Probe

• The Enforcement Directorate (ED) conducted searches at 21 locations across Kerala, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu in connection with a money laundering investigation into alleged gold loss from the Sabarimala temple.
• The PMLA searches follow a case registered by the ED based on a Kerala Police FIR, targeting premises linked to prime accused Unnikrishnan Potti and former Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) president A Padmakumar.
• The case, involving alleged misappropriation of gold from Lord Ayyappa shrine artefacts during 2019 replating, is also under investigation by a state Special Investigation Team (SIT) supervised by the Kerala High Court.
• A scientific report from Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC) confirmed a significant reduction in quantity and purity of gold, leading the High Court to order a fresh on-site inspection.
• Socio-religious groups, including the Sabarimala Karma Samithi, are demanding a CBI probe, following the arrest of former TDB member K P Sankaradas in connection with the irregularities.

Why It Matters: ED intensifies probe into Sabarimala gold loss with multi-state raids, as High Court orders fresh inspection.