Sabarimala gold plating case: ED begins investigation, to examine Vigilance report and Crime Branch FIR

Kochi: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has launched an investigation into the Sabarimala gold plating controversy, following the registration of an FIR by the Crime Branch.

Officials said the ED will review the Crime Branch FIRs along with the Devaswom Vigilance report as part of its probe into alleged irregularities in the temple’s gold plating process.

The Crime Branch has filed two FIRs in the case so far. The ED team is currently examining these documents, statements, and related evidence, and has reportedly begun a preliminary inquiry.

Meanwhile, a Special Investigation Team (SIT) is conducting an inspection at the Chennai office of Smart Creation, the firm believed to have handled the gold plating work where the separation of gold is suspected to have occurred.