Padmakumar remanded, gives crucial statement against former minister

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: A. Padmakumar, former president of the Travancore Devaswom Board and CPM Pathanamthitta district committee member, has given a crucial statement after his arrest in the Sabarimala gold-plating scam. He told investigators that the gold-plating work assigned to Unnikrishnan Potty was done with the knowledge of the then Devaswom Minister Kadakampally Surendran.

Padmakumar’s arrest is linked to the 2019 gold theft case. An application that Potty had submitted to the minister for gold-plating work had reached the Devaswom Board. Padmakumar informed the Special Investigation Team (SIT) that the government had approved handing over the temple door frames. He had earlier said that people considered “god-like” by devotees were involved in the theft.

He is the sixth person to be arrested in the case and the second former board president to face action. Former president N. Vasu is already in custody. The Travancore Devaswom Board has been named the eighth accused. Board members K.P. Shankaradas and A. Vijayakumar may also be arrested soon. Padmakumar was produced before the Kollam Vigilance Court and remanded for 14 days. The SIT is expected to request his custody.

Padmakumar had ignored several summons before finally appearing for questioning after a final warning. He was questioned from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Crime Branch headquarters under ADGP H. Venkatesh before his arrest was recorded. After a medical checkup, he was taken to Kollam.

According to the SIT, Padmakumar played a direct role in helping Potty. The gold-plated copper sheets were falsely documented as plain copper sheets. Investigators also examined bank accounts and financial records belonging to Padmakumar and his family. Evidence shows he met Potty several times at his home in Aranmula.

Statements from the first five accused also pointed to Padmakumar’s involvement. Board officials said he pressured them to support Potty. Padmakumar, however, claims that the handover of temple panels was based on official documents and has shifted blame toward N. Vasu.

Key findings

1. The SIT believes the conspiracy was planned at Padmakumar’s house. They say he gained financially through illegal transactions and had land and money deals with Potty. His former secretary, Sreekumar, also gave an important statement.
2. A letter from the executive officer dated February 16, 2019, stated that the temple door frame was gold-plated. Later, on Padmakumar’s instructions, this was changed to “copper sheets,” according to former commissioner N. Vasu.
3. Investigators also seized documents showing that 30.291 kilograms of gold donated by Vijay Mallya were used for gold-plating the Sreekovil and its parts in 1998–99. These records had been hidden by the board and now form crucial evidence.

Visual evidence

Padmakumar had repeatedly claimed in the media that the panels were only copper. However, in the photograph where Padmakumar is seen standing near the Dwarapalaka sculptures, the gold-plated door frame is clearly visible. The SIT had collected this photograph.