CPI(M) Leader Arrested in Sabarimala Gold Theft Case: 8th Accused in Custody

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The Special Investigation Team (SIT) in Kerala has arrested A Padmakumar, a former president of the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) and Communist Party of India (Marxist) leader, in connection with the alleged theft of gold assets from the Sabarimala temple. Padmakumar, a former MLA from Konni, is the eighth accused in the case. The SIT began questioning Padmakumar hours before his arrest, with officers stating that he had denied any involvement in the theft. However, the team plans to question him further, along with another former TDB president and CPI(M) leader, N Vasu. The case dates back to 2019, when the TDB permitted a businessman, Unnikrishnan Potty, to take gold-clad sheets from the temple for replating in Chennai. An investigation found that at least four kilograms of gold were missing when the sheets were returned in 1998. The arrest of Padmakumar comes as the SIT conducts a scientific examination of the gold-clad panels and sheets at the Sabarimala temple. The opposition has demanded that the SIT question former Devaswom minister Kadakampally Surendran, who they believe may be involved in the gold theft. CPI(M) state secretary MV Govindan has denied any involvement of the party in the case, stating that the SIT should conduct its investigation and arrest anyone found guilty. The BJP, however, has accused the CPI(M) leadership of being involved in the gold heist.