Gave explanation blaming Vasu and officials; A Padmakumar remanded in Sabarimala gold theft case

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Former Devaswom Board President A Padmakumar, who was arrested in the Sabarimala gold theft case, has been remanded. Padmakumar, a CPM leader and former MLA, will be shifted to the Thiruvananthapuram Special Sub Jail. He has been remanded for 14 days. The Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the case has identified Padmakumar as the main planner of the case, and he is currently considered the prime accused.

Meanwhile, details regarding Padmakumar's statement to the investigation team are also coming out. Padmakumar is said to have put the blame on N Vasu and other officials during questioning. He told the investigators that the application that Unnikrishnan Potty had submitted to the Devaswom Minister was forwarded to the Devaswom Board, and that he acted based on the documents given by officials. The SIT has decided to examine the financial transactions between Padmakumar and Potty.

The SIT has also found that Unnikrishnan Potty and the other accused Devaswom Board officials carried out the gold theft as per Padmakumar’s plan. A key piece of evidence is a video from May 2019 showing Padmakumar leaning on the temple’s Dwarapalaka sculptures. The SIT says the conspiracy took place at Padmakumar’s house and that he gained significant financial benefit from the theft.

Investigators have also collected details of land deals between Padmakumar and Unnikrishnan Potty. The case will now be handled by the Kollam Vigilance Court. Padmakumar is currently at the Crime Branch headquarters.