'Padmakumar just an accused, party will not protect anyone'; CPM state secretary M V Govindan responds

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: CPM state secretary MV Govindan reacted to the arrest of former Travancore Devaswom Board President A Padmakumar in the Sabarimala gold theft case. Govindan said that the investigation team has the authority to question and arrest anyone in the gold theft case and clarified that the party will not interfere in it.

“No one can steal a single grain of gold from Sabarimala. The investigation is being conducted as per the directions of the High Court. Anyone can be arrested as part of that investigation. The party will cooperate with the investigation team and will protect none. Just because Padmakumr got arrested does not make him a criminal. There are several steps for that. The court will decide if he is guilty or not. The party will take the final decision after the matter is settled in court. Padmakumar is currently only an accused,” Govindan said.

Meanwhile, CPM Pathanamthitta District Secretary Raju Abraham said he has the same opinion as the chief minister and the party state secretary in the Sabarimala gold theft case.

Padmakumar, a former MLA, is a senior leader of the CPM. He is currently a member of the CPM Pathanamthitta District Committee. Padmakumar’s arrest in the gold theft case has cast a shadow on the party’s chances in the upcoming local body polls.