'How can I alone be made accused? decisions involve collective responsibility'- Former Devaswom Board President

PAMPA: Former Travancore Devaswom Board president A Padmakumar has questioned how he alone can be made an accused in the Sabarimala gold theft case. In the bail petition he submitted after his arrest, Padmakumar argued strongly that the responsibility for the lapses of the Devaswom Board was collective and not his alone. He pointed out that no decision can be taken by the president without the knowledge of other board members, and that all decisions involve collective responsibility.

Padmakumar stated in his bail application that officials had originally written “brass sheets” in the records, and this was later corrected to “copper sheets.” He said the correction was made because copper was used in the construction. Even if a correction was made, the board members still had the opportunity to verify and question it later, he added. The Kollam court will consider Padmakumar’s bail plea on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, CPM state secretary MV Govindan told the media that appropriate action would be taken against A Padmakumar, who was arrested in the gold theft case. He said the gold theft case should not be compared with the case involving Rahul Mamkootathil.

“UDF thinks it can gain an advantage in the elections by taking up the issue of the gold sheets. But people know everything. Those who are responsible for the Sabarimala issue must be brought before the law. The party will not protect anyone. The CPM will fully support the Special Investigation Team (SIT), and once the investigation is complete, proper action will be taken at the party level," Govindan said.