Sabarimala gold theft: CPM district committee to meet on June 15, Padmakumar to face strong action

PATHANAMTHITTA: The CPM is preparing to take strict disciplinary action against A. Padmakumar, a Pathanamthitta district committee member and an accused in the Sabarimala gold theft case. According to party sources, Padmakumar could either be demoted from the district committee or expelled from the party. The CPM state leadership has reportedly directed the Pathanamthitta district committee to initiate strong action against him. Padmakumar had renewed his party membership last week after initially failing to do so.

The party had earlier admitted in its post-election review report that disciplinary action was not taken against Padmakumar when the Sabarimala gold theft case first surfaced. The report stated that the delay had negatively affected the party's performance in the Assembly elections. Since his release from jail, Padmakumar has been kept away from all party responsibilities. The CPM state leadership has now decided to take organisational action against him as part of its corrective measures. As Padmakumar is a member of the Pathanamthitta district committee, the disciplinary proceedings will be carried out at the district level. State committee members are expected to attend the district committee meeting scheduled for June 15, where the matter will be discussed. The state leadership has instructed the district committee to complete disciplinary proceedings before the filing of the charge sheet in the Sabarimala gold theft case.

The issue also figured in the party's Assembly election review report. While the state leadership initially presented a softened version of its position before the state committee, several members argued that the report could not ignore the need for disciplinary action. Following the discussion, the report was revised to include a reference to action against Padmakumar. The district committee has been entrusted with deciding the nature of the disciplinary action. It will also discuss the state committee's review report on the Assembly election defeat during its June 15 meeting.

Case?
According to investigators, A. Padmakumar allegedly assisted the first accused, Unnikrishnan Potty, in the theft of gold from Sabarimala. The investigation team claims that his support and involvement helped facilitate the crime. Padmakumar, who had spent more than three months in jail in connection with the case, is currently out on bail.