The latest charges come as Padmakumar’s earlier remand was set to expire on Thursday.
Published Dec 04, 2025 | 3:17 PM ⚊ Updated Dec 04, 2025 | 3:17 PM
CPI(M) leader A Padmakumar
Synopsis: The SIT’s latest findings state that Padmakumar, a CPI(M) leader and former MLA, was involved in both the Kattilapalli (door frame) and Dwarapalaka cases, intensifying the legal troubles faced by the former Devaswom chief.
In a major development in the Sabarimala gold heist investigation, former Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) president A Padmakumar has been named an accused in the Dwarapalaka sculpture smuggling case.
The Special Investigation Team (SIT) submitted its report before the Kollam Vigilance Court on Thursday, 4 December, formally recording his arrest in the case at the prison where he is currently lodged.
Padmakumar, who was already an accused in the door frame sculpture smuggling case, has now been implicated in the alleged 2019 gold theft and replacement of gold artefacts with copper replicas at Sabarimala.
According to the SIT, Padmakumar played a crucial role in facilitating the smuggling operations and forging documents to aid the gang led by Unnikrishnan Potty.
The SIT’s latest findings state that Padmakumar, a CPI(M) leader and former MLA, was involved in both the Kattilapalli (door frame) and Dwarapalaka cases, intensifying the legal troubles faced by the former Devaswom chief.
Investigators allege that he helped replace gold sculptures with copper ones and enabled the creation of fabricated documents to cover up the crime.
The latest charges come as Padmakumar’s earlier remand was set to expire on Thursday.
The Kollam Vigilance Court has now extended his remand by another 14 days, following his production before the court.
Meanwhile, the court has rejected the anticipatory bail petitions filed by former Devaswom administrative officer S Sreekumar and former board secretary S Jayashree, both of whom are accused in the gold heist case.
Padmakumar’s regular bail application will be considered on 8 December, even as he undergoes a medical examination mandated after the court proceedings.
According to SIT sources, these statements suggest that the directive to convert the temple’s gold into copper was issued on Padmakumar’s instructions.
His financial dealings are now under detailed scrutiny.
Meanwhile, Vasu, arrested earlier, has been remanded in SIT custody till 4 pm on Thursday, with the probe team planning a joint interrogation of Vasu and Padmakumar.
The deepening investigation has come at an inconvenient moment for the CPI(M), which is battling to gain ground ahead of the local body elections.
The questioning of one of its prominent leaders has amplified political tensions, giving fresh ammunition to the Opposition at a critical phase of campaigning.
Potty has been accused of diverting around two kilograms of gold under the pretext of gold-plating the Dwarapalaka idols, despite the work being completed in 1998. Babu and Kumar reportedly told investigators that Vasu was privy to the illegal activities.
Reports said the arrested person, from Babu to Vasu, had provided statements, implicating Padmakumar in the case.
