THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: In a shocking turn of events, a high-level police investigation has revealed that valuable assets, including gold and diamonds, are frequently disappearing from the historic Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple in Kerala. Highlighting an “extremely grave situation,” the State Police Chief (DGP) has submitted an official report to the Home Secretary urging immediate government intervention.

The alarming security breach came to light following an initial report by the State Intelligence Chief. A copy of the DGP’s letter detailing the security lapse has been leaked and broadcast by local media outlet Manorama News.

Key Findings: Missing Treasures and Data Gaps

According to the police report, several priceless items kept inside and around the temple’s sanctum sanctorum are missing or unaccounted for:

• The Missing ‘Vaira Namam’: The sacred diamond-studded ornament (‘Vaira Namam’), which is strictly kept inside the sanctum sanctorum, has been missing for some time. While official temple records claim it was taken for maintenance six months ago, its current location remains unknown.
• Shortfall in Donated Gold: A recent audit revealed a deficit of approximately 78 grams in the gold ornaments and items donated directly by devotees.
• Unreturned Golden Lamp: A precious gold lamp was officially logged out six months ago under the pretext of repair and maintenance work. It has still not been returned to the temple premises.

To safeguard the remaining multi-billion dollar treasure complex of the ancient temple, the DGP has proposed a strict, non-negotiable security protocol to the state government.

Mandatory Security Directives Proposed by the DGP:

• Immediate Strong Room Relocation: All gold and silver items currently kept outside the traditional underground vaults must be documented and shifted to high-security strong rooms immediately.
• Police Guard for Devotee Donations: Every single item or monetary asset donated by devotees must be moved directly into secure lockers under active police surveillance.
• Zero-Tolerance Access Control: No individual, regardless of rank or status, is to be permitted entry into the temple complex without passing a rigorous security screening.

The state police department has requested the government to intervene dynamically and implement these security policies without delay, as public anxiety grows over the safety of the centuries-old temple treasure.

Thiruvananthapuram/Kannur: In a massive political development, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Wednesday morning launched simultaneous raids at the residences of former Kerala Chief Minister and current Leader of the Opposition, Pinarayi Vijayan, and his son-in-law and former minister, Mohamed Riyas.

The crackdowns are being conducted in connection with a money laundering probe linked to financial transactions between Cochin Minerals and Rutile Limited (CMRL) and Exalogic Solutions, an IT company owned by Vijayan’s daughter, T. Veena.

The central agency is executing searches across approximately 12 locations in Kerala and Karnataka, focusing on key figures linked to the case:

An ED team is conducting searches at the rented house where Pinarayi Vijayan is currently staying in the state capital. Sources indicate that Vijayan, along with his daughter Veena Vijayan and other family members, are present at the location during the raid.

Another ED team arrived at Vijayan’s residence in Pinarayi, Kannur. Since the house was found locked, officials are currently waiting outside the premises.

In Kozhikode, searches are actively underway at the Kottooli residence of former minister Mohamed Riyas.

Parallel raids are being carried out at the Exalogic office in Bengaluru, the CMRL corporate headquarters in Aluva, and the residence of CMRL Managing Director Sasidharan Kartha, alongside several high-ranking company officials.

The dynamic morning raids come less than 24 hours after the Kerala High Court dismissed a writ petition filed by CMRL. The company had sought a stay on the ED’s ongoing investigation and summonses under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). By dismissing the challenge as premature, the High Court effectively greenlit the central agency’s multi-city crackdown.

The ED’s investigation focuses on illicit financial payouts totaling ₹1.72 crore made by CMRL to T. Veena’s firm, Exalogic Solutions, between 2017 and 2020. Investigative bodies, including the Serious Fraud Investigation Office (SFIO), allege that these substantial sums were transferred illegally as a form of bribery without any actual IT or consultancy services being rendered by the firm. The ED is aggressively pursuing tracks of bribery, tax evasion, and structured money laundering.