Major setback for A Padmakumar in Sabarimala gold theft case; Court rejects bail plea

KOLLAM: A major setback for A Padmakumar, former devaswom board president in the Sabarimala gold theft case. The Kollam Vigilance Court has rejected his bail plea. The bail plea was rejected in the case of the Dwarapalaka idols. The vigilance court and the high court had earlier rejected Padmakumar's bail plea in the door frames case. The court also extended the remand period of the accused in the case, Unnikrishnan Potty and Murari Babu. It was extended to 14 days.

Padmakumar had completely denied the findings of the investigation team. Padmakumar in his plea stated that he was responsible for controlling the employees at Sabarimala and that he did not take any decisions alone but collectively.

The special investigation team said that Padmakumar committed serious misconduct by writing that the door frames of the gold-plated Sabarimala shrine were made of copper. In 2019, in the recommendation given by the executive officer regarding the handover of the door frames, it was written 'previously gold plated'. However, in the note prepared when the board met, Padmakumar cut the word 'brass' and added 'copper plated'. Even though he knew that they were gold plated, he did not write it. The reference is in the report filed by the investigating officer S Sasidharan in the high court opposing Padmakumar's bail plea. The SIT had also informed the court that if Padmakumar, who is highly influential, is granted bail at this stage, evidence may be destroyed.