Thiruvananthapuram, Jan. 20 -- The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Tuesday launched extensive raids across multiple states at 21 locations as part of its investigation into alleged money laundering linked to the Sabarimala gold smuggling case.

Searches are underway at the residences of all accused named in the case and at institutions connected to them, across Kerala, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.

ED has begun raids at the homes of key accused, including Unnikrishnan Potti, former Devaswom Board President A Padmakumar, N Vasu, Murari Babu, and gold traders Govardhan and Pankaj Bhandari. Searches are also being carried out at Smart Creations in Chennai and at the residence of Bellary-based gold trader Govardhan.

In Kerala, ED teams have rea...