ED summons ex-TDB secretary in Sabarimala gold theft case
ED summons ex-TDB secretary in Sabarimala gold theft case
ED summons ex-TDB secretary S. Jayasree and intermediary Kalpesh in the Sabarimala gold theft case, as actor Jayaram is pulled into the probe in Kochi.
The Enforcement Directorate has issued notices to former Travancore Devaswom Board secretary S. Jayasree and an intermediary named Kalpesh, asking them to appear for interrogation at the ED’s Kochi office next week. The agency has also summoned actor Jayaram for questioning over alleged association and possible financial transactions with the prime accused, Unnikrishnan Potti, following videos showing the actor taking part in a 2019 puja in Chennai organized by Potti using temple artefacts destined for gold plating.
The ED’s move comes after the Kerala High Court-appointed Special Investigation Team (SIT) began monitoring the case and the ED’s Kochi unit filed an ECIR under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act. The probe has touched on suspected forgery, misappropriation of temple gold, and possible money laundering linked to the Sabarimala temple.
In related developments, the SIT has approached the Supreme Court opposing anticipatory bail for Ms. Jayasree, with the Kerala High Court noting prima facie reasons supporting her involvement. The ED has also sought custody of case-related documents from the Kollam Vigilance Court as part of ongoing inquiries. While no chargesheet has been filed yet, investigators say the case involves multiple angles that warrant close scrutiny from multiple agencies.
As the investigation unfolds, authorities stress the need for transparency and due process in handling temple-related artefacts and the financial trail surrounding the case, which has drawn broad public interest given Sabarimala’s significance.
