Padmakumar’s new statement tightens noose around Kadakampally Surendran

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The statement of former devaswom president A Padmakumar has tightened noose around former devaswom minister Kadakampally Surendran in the Sabarimala gold theft case. Reports say during interrogation, Padmakumar told the special investigation team that Unnikrishnan Potty, the main accused in the case, had prior acquaintance with Kadakampally and that he had told him about it. Padmakumar also told them that Potty was a known person in Sabarimala even before he met him. Potty worked in Sabarimala as a known member of the Tantri family and became powerful in Sabarimala with the support of the Tantri and officials. Reports say that Kadakampally may be questioned soon after receiving the new statement.

Padmakumar has not given a clear answer on the people approached by Unnikrishnan Potty to become a sponsor in Sabarimala. Padmakumar said that permission was given to take the gold plating work out of the temple against the manual because it could not be done at the shrine and that the officials were directed to take it only after taking the correct weight and measurement. Padmakumar explained that cladding work was also done outside during the previous administration. A special investigation team will produce Padmakumar at the Kollam court this evening in the case.

Meantime, Padmakumar has still not admitted as what happened in Sabarimala was gold looting. Padmakumar's stand is that steps were taken to renovate Sabarimala and that gold was not given to Unnikrishnan Potty to steal it. He has also stated that it was not his decision alone to take the gold sheets and the door frames.