New Delhi, Jan. 21 -- The Enforcement Directorate (ED), Kochi Zonal Office, stated on Wednesday that it conducted search operations at 21 premises across Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Karnataka in the misappropriation of gold and other assets belonging to the Sabarimala temple.
The ED initiated its investigation based on two FIRs registered by the Kerala Police Crime Branch. These revealed a well-planned criminal conspiracy involving senior officials of the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB), former temple administrators, private sponsors, and jewellers.
Preliminary investigation indicates that sacred gold-clad artefacts of the temple, including components of the Dwarapalaka idol, peedams (pedestals), and sanctum sanctorum door frame panels, were ...