Sabarimala gold theft: Statutory bail for A Padma Kumar in one case, will not be  released from jail

KOLLAM: Former Devaswom Board president and CPM leader A Padma Kumar, who was arrested in the Sabarimala gold theft case, has been granted bail in one case. The Kollam Vigilance Court granted him statutory bail in the door frames case. The Special Investigation Team has not filed a charge sheet even after 90 days. Padma Kumar is presently remanded in the Dwarapalaka idol sheets case. He will be released from jail only if he gets bail in this case.

Padma Kumar filed a bail plea citing the completion of 90 days of remand in the door frames case. The hearing on the application was completed yesterday in the Kollam court. Padma Kumar was arrested by the special investigation team on November 20 in the Sabarimala gold theft case. He was first arrested in the door frames case. His arrest was recorded in the Dwarapalaka idol sheets case while he was remanded in the first case.

Unnikrishnan Potty, the first accused in the case, and others had earlier been released from jail on statutory bail. Former members of the Devaswom Board had given statements against Padma Kumar. The vigilance court will consider the bail plea filed by another accused in the case, K P Sankardas, a former member of the devaswom board, citing health issues among other things.