Potty had prior acquaintance with Tantri and Minister, says Padmakumar

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Former Devaswom Board president A. Padmakumar has given a statement to the SIT that complicates matters for the 2019 Devaswom Board members and the Tantri in the Sabarimala gold theft case. Padmakumar said he did not make decisions about Sabarimala alone and that all decisions were made after discussing with the governing committee. The issues related to Sabarimala were handled through collective decisions.

According to sources, Padmakumar told investigators that Unnikrishnan Potty had earlier mentioned having a prior acquaintance with the then minister. He said Potty was already associated with Sabarimala even before they personally met. Potty worked in Sabarimala as someone closely associated with the Tantri family. He also said that before he came into the picture, Potty already knew the then Devaswom Minister. According to him, Potty’s influence at Sabarimala grew because of support from the Tantri and certain officials. Padmakumar did not give a clear answer on whom Potty had approached in the government to become a sponsor.

Padmakumar argued that what happened was not a gold theft but a renovation process. He claimed that the gold-plated items were not given to Potty for misuse, but to polish and repair them due to ageing and wear. The dwarapalaka panels, wooden frames, and doors were taken out for these repair works, he said. He added that this decision was not taken by him alone but was known to all concerned.

Padmakumar argued that this was not a case of gold theft but part of renovation and repair works. He claimed that the gold-plated items were not given to Potty for misuse, but to polish and repair them due to ageing and wear. The dwarapalaka panels, wooden frames, and doors were taken out for these repair works, he said. He added that this decision was not taken by him alone but was known to all concerned. The SIT has decided to conduct a detailed investigation into these statements.