Sabarimala gold theft case: SIT to seek information regarding Kadakampally's involvement

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Special Investigation Team (SIT) will file a petition on Monday to take former Devaswom Board president Padmakumar, who is currently in remand at Thiruvananthapuram sub-jail, into custody. The former Devaswom Minister Kadakampally Surendran will be summoned only after questioning Padmakumar. The SIT is trying to trace Kadakampally’s possible links to the case.

The team will collect information about Kadakampally’s involvement from sponsor Unnikrishnan Potty, former Sabarimala Administrative Officer Murari Babu, former Executive Officer D. Sudheesh Kumar, former Thiruvabharana Commissioner K.S. Baiju, and former Board President and Commissioner N. Vasu, who are all in remand.

Padmakumar’s statement that he was not solely responsible for giving gold sheets to Potty, and that the government also knew about it, has put Kadakampally in trouble. The photos of Potty with Kadakampally have worsened the situation. Kadakampally has not given a clear response about his relationship with Potty. The SIT has received information that some projects and programs were carried out in the Kazhakkoottam constituency with Potty’s sponsorship. The SIT is also investigating reports that election funds were raised through Potty’s network. According to information received, around 3.5 crore rupees were collected with Potty’s help. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) is also looking into this matter.

Government involvement under scrutiny
Kadakampally said he had not seen any files related to the issue and had no role in any Board decisions. He added that removing and gold-plating the sheets were decisions taken by the Devaswom Board itself.

The SIT now wants to find out whether the former minister knew about Potty’s alleged fraud or if he was only involved in forwarding the files. Investigators will also check if Padmakumar is trying to escape from the case by claiming that there was government intervention.