Kollam, 07 Jan (H.S.):The Kollam Vigilance Court on Tuesday rejected the bail plea of former Travancore Devaswom Board president and senior Communist Party of India (Marxist) leader A. Padmakumar in connection with the sensational Sabarimala gold theft case. Padmakumar had sought bail in the case relating to the alleged theft of gold from the Dwarapalaka (gatekeeper) idol at the Sabarimala temple.

This is the third setback for Padmakumar, as his bail pleas in the related kattilappali (wooden plank) case had earlier been dismissed by both the Vigilance Court and the Kerala High Court.

In his plea, Padmakumar argued that all members of the Devaswom Board who were present at the time shared collective responsibility, including in the decision to hand over the metal sheets to Unnikrishnan Potti. However, the Vigilance Court observed that Padmakumar, as the Board president, could not evade responsibility for the decision or its consequences. Taking into account the arguments and evidence presented by the Special Investigation Team (SIT), the court concluded that Padmakumar’s alleged role warranted continued judicial custody.

The prosecution maintained that all members of the Devaswom Board at the relevant time had a role in the gold theft. With the bail plea rejected, Padmakumar will continue to remain in jail.

Meanwhile, the SIT informed the High Court that Padmakumar had allegedly made deliberate alterations to the official minutes authorising the release of the metal sheets. According to the investigation, Padmakumar personally changed the description from “brass sheets” to “copper sheets” in his own handwriting and added the word “approved” to the minutes. These changes were made shortly before the decision to hand over the sheets to Potti.

The SIT also rejected Padmakumar’s claim that the temple Tantri (chief priest) had requested the removal of the wooden planks for repair. Investigators stated that there is no documentary evidence to support this claim. The Tantri’s opinion was neither sought nor recorded, he did not sign the mahazar, and no formal permission was granted for the alleged repairs.

Further, the SIT alleged that while the case was pending before the High Court, Padmakumar and other accused, including Govardhan and Unnikrishnan Potti, conspired in Bengaluru to tamper with evidence. The investigation report opposing bail also noted that Padmakumar, as Devaswom Board president, failed to verify records when the planks were taken out for repairs or when they were supposedly brought back.

The SIT findings have significantly strengthened the prosecution’s case, placing Padmakumar in deeper legal trouble as the investigation into the Sabarimala gold theft continues.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Arun Lakshman