High-profile arrest in Sabarimala gold scam: Ex-TDB chief A. Padmakumar in custody

In a significant development, the Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the Sabarimala gold theft case made a high-profile arrest on Thursday. Former Travancore Devaswom Board  (TDB) president A. Padmakumar was arrested after a four-hour-long  questioning, according to reports.

He is the sixth person to be arrested in connection with the case. The SIT believes Padmakumar could have been involved in the misappropriation of gold slabs from the  panels of the temple doors. He is alleged to have provided all assistance to Unnikrishnan Potti, the first accused in the scam.

Padmakumar’s alleged involvement came under the police radar after the arrest of N Vasu, former Devaswom Commissioner, in the case. He was also the TDB president when Vasu was the Devaswom Commissioner, according to Manorama Online.  

The Devaswom Board approved verbatim the recommendation given by Devaswom Commissioner N. Vasu to omit the reference 'gold-plated' from the letter issued to the accused Potti. The letter concerned handing over the door frame. Vasu's remand report states that the fraud was carried out with the knowledge of the Devaswom Board, the SIT believes.

The SIT is moving to question and record the arrest of everyone on the accused list before the High Court reconsiders the case on December 3rd.

As per temple records, the 30.29 kg gold - donated by now-disgraced billionaire businessman Vijay Mallya - was used to carry out gold-cladding on the idols and several parts of the temple, including some pillars, door arches and panels depicting stories of Lord Ayyappa.

Besides Unnikrishnan Potti and N Vasu, the other arrested include former Devaswom Board Administrative Officer Murari Babu, former Executive Officer D. Sudheesh Kumar, and former Thiruvabharanam Commissioner K.S. Baiju.

India