Thiruvananthapuram: The Directorate of Enforcement (ED) on Tuesday conducted raids at 21 locations across different parts of the country as part of its investigation into the controversial Sabarimala gold theft case.

According to ED sources, more than 100 officers from the Kochi, Bengaluru and Chennai zonal units, along with the Kozhikode sub-unit, took part in the operation. Searches were carried out at the headquarters of the Travancore Devaswom Board and at the residences of key accused, including Unnikrishnan Potty, Tantri Kandararu Rajeevaru, A Padmakumar, Murari Babu and N Vasu.

"The raids have been completed at 21 locations. We have seized documents, electronic devices and bank transaction details. It is just the beginning and all the seized items from different locations have to be brought to Kochi. All these will have to be further scrutinised as part of the investigation," ED sources said. The entire operation was coordinated by the Kochi Zonal Office.

The searches were conducted to trace the proceeds of crime, identify beneficiaries, seize incriminating documents and digital evidence, and determine the scale of money laundering involved.

The ED probe stems from multiple FIRs registered by the Kerala Crime Branch, which point to a deep-rooted conspiracy involving officials of the Travancore Devaswom Board, private individuals, intermediaries and jewellers.

The Enforcement Case Information Report (ECIR) in the matter was registered on January 9 after the agency obtained permission from the Special Judge, Kollam.

Preliminary investigations suggest that gold-clad sacred artefacts were falsely recorded as "copper plates" in official documents and illegally removed from the temple between 2019 and 2025. The gold was allegedly extracted using chemical processes at private facilities in Chennai and Karnataka, generating large proceeds of crime that were retained, transferred and concealed.

Investigators have also found indications of other financial irregularities at Sabarimala, including misappropriation linked to temple offerings and rituals. These aspects, too, are being examined under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).