KOCHI: After a flurry of high-profile interrogations and intense media scrutiny in February, the Enforcement Directorate’s (ED) probe into the Sabarimala gold scam has entered a noticeably slower phase, raising questions over whether the investigation has lost its initial momentum.
The probe gathered pace on February 3, when former Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) administrative officer Murari Babu was questioned for several hours at the ED office in Kochi. The day-long interrogation signalled an aggressive start, drawing heavy media presence outside the office from the following day, with expectations that more accused would be summoned.
That anticipation soon materialised. Over the next few days, the ED summoned a series of prominent individuals linked to the case. Former TDB president A Padmakumar, former secretary S Jayasree, actor Jayaram, alleged middleman in gold theft Kalpesh, and former TDB president N Vasu were all questioned as part of the widening probe. The steady stream of appearances kept cameras rolling and public attention firmly fixed on the investigation.
The questioning of Sabarimala tantri Kandararu Rajeevaru on March 4 marked a peak in media attention. Journalists gathered in large numbers outside the ED office, waiting for hours to capture his arrival, underlining the heightened public and media interest surrounding the case.
At the height of the probe, every movement of those summoned was closely tracked. Even as the ED questioned multiple individuals, a recurring question among the public and media was when key accused, including Unnikrishnan Potti, would be called in. While some speculated that it would happen imminently, no clear timeline has emerged even now.
After the second week of March, the intensity began to taper, and the investigation started moving at a noticeably slow, almost snail’s pace. Despite continued media presence outside the ED office through mid-March, the frequency of high-profile questioning declined sharply.
Even a single camera stationed outside the office would draw curiosity from passersby, reflecting sustained public interest despite the lull in activity.
Sources indicated that around 11 officials associated with the probe were transferred during this period, which may have contributed to the slowdown. The agency was also said to be focused on closing pending work ahead of the financial year-end on March 31, further limiting visible progress in the case.
With elections approaching, expectations of decisive action grew. However, no major developments or arrests followed, adding to perceptions that the probe had stalled. Officials maintain that the transfers were routine, but the lull has left observers questioning the pace of the investigation.
A former Union finance ministry official familiar with the case and who handled many Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) cases said such probes typically involve multiple rounds of questioning before any arrests are made.
“ED usually proceeds cautiously. After gathering sufficient evidence through repeated questioning, they invoke PMLA provisions and move towards arrests. The current slowdown could be linked to the transfer of officials, but the case is unlikely to lose priority,” the official said.
Sources within the agency indicated that a new team is expected to take over the investigation soon.
“A fresh team may be constituted this month. They will require time to study the case records and earlier findings. Once that groundwork is completed, the probe is likely to regain momentum,” a source said. For now, the Sabarimala gold scam probe remains in a quieter phase with ED, far removed from the urgency and visibility it commanded in early February, leaving many watching closely for its next move.
