Doubts over foreign link in Sabarimala gold theft case; KP Sankar Das and N Vijayakumar to be arrested soon

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: It is believed that the Sabarimala gold theft transactions were carried out in foreign countries. The SIT will extend the investigation to those countries as well. Evidence of money transactions with Unnikrishnan Potty was found in the documents recovered from the house of the arrested Padmakumar. This has raised doubts about the foreign transactions of former Travancore Devaswom Board presidents Padmakumar and Vasu. Padmakumar's passport was seized.

There are suspicions that the two had travelled abroad with Unnikrishnan Potty. An investigation will be carried out to determine if there was any deal surrounding gold theft in these foreign trips.

Information is being collected about close relatives and friends of the two former Devaswom board presidents.

Meanwhile, the investigation team are planning to arrest the members of the 2019 Devaswom Board. After recording the arrests, they may be made as witnesses. Although members Sankar Das and Vijayakumar said Padmakumar changed the minutes without their knowledge, both their signatures were found on the minutes. Therefore, the investigation team assesses that they cannot completely escape responsibility. If they are made witnesses, the evidence against Padmakumar can be strengthened.

The special investigation team will apply to the Kollam Vigilance Court today to take Padmakumar into custody. There are indications that he may be taken into custody today itself.

Meanwhile, CPM are trying to distance away from leaders involved in the Sabarimala gold theft. The move is to take strict action against A. Padmakumar, a former MLA and Pathanamthitta CPM district secretariat member.

The district leadership is wary of the reaction they may receive from the public during campaigning if the eighth accused, Padmakumar, continues to remain in the district committee.

The issue may come up in the district committee meeting to be held on Tuesday in the presence of M.V. Govindan.

The district leadership also believes that such an aloof stance will create great resentment among the people. Rumours are also growing that former Devaswom Minister Kadakampally Surendran may be questioned in the coming days.