New Delhi: The investigation into the high-profile Kerala gold fraud case has gathered pace, with police registering 21 complaints against the main accused, Sindhu Kumari, who was arrested following the alleged disappearance of gold that reportedly drove two women to die by suicide. As part of the investigation, police took the accused to several banks and financial institutions for evidence collection. Investigators have also found that approximately ₹7 crore was transacted through her bank account over the past five years, including nearly ₹1.25 crore during the last year alone.
According to police, Sindhu Kumari was taken to a bank branch in Poonkulam, the KSFE branch in Thampanoor, and private financial institutions in Kovalam and Venganoor as part of the evidence-gathering exercise. Employees at all the institutions reportedly identified the accused and assisted investigators. Police believe the financial records obtained from these institutions will play a crucial role in uncovering the alleged fraud.
During the investigation, staff at a private financial institution in Venganoor informed police that the accused had pledged gold worth approximately ₹4 lakh. Investigators are now trying to determine whether the pledged ornaments belonged to the accused or were allegedly obtained from the victims.
Preliminary findings indicate that substantial financial transactions through the accused’s bank account occurred during the same period in which the gold ornaments were allegedly collected from the two women who later died by suicide. Police are now examining bank accounts, transaction trails, beneficiaries and the final destination of the funds to identify the full financial network behind the alleged fraud.
The case has since been transferred to the District Crime Records Bureau (DCRB) for further investigation. Officials plan to seek fresh custody of the accused for detailed questioning. Investigators said Sindhu Kumari has not been cooperating during interrogation, and the destination of the crores of rupees routed through her accounts remains unclear.
Police said that with the latest complaint received on Tuesday, the total number of complaints registered at Vizhinjam Police Station has risen to 21. In addition, a separate financial fraud case registered at Poojappura Police Station has also been transferred to the DCRB. Investigators believe the number of complainants could increase as the investigation progresses.
The alleged fraud came to light after Anju (28) and Aishwarya (32), employees of a private financial institution, allegedly died by suicide after losing 70 sovereigns of gold (approximately 560 grams). Police said the incident exposed the alleged gold fraud and triggered the ongoing investigation.
Investigating agencies suspect that Sindhu Kumari may not have acted alone. Police are examining whether another individual or additional associates assisted in collecting the gold, handling financial transactions or transferring funds through multiple accounts.
Investigators are analysing banking records, pledged gold, financial documents, digital transaction data and other electronic evidence. Police said the investigation is still at a preliminary stage, and further arrests or additional charges may follow based on the evidence collected. They also emphasised that all allegations remain subject to investigation and judicial scrutiny before any final determination of guilt.
