Former Temple Board President Arrested in Sabarimala Gold Heist Investigation: A Deep Dive into Kerala's Temple Controversy

The Sabarimala gold controversy centers on alleged irregularities related to gold plating work at the temple.

Kerala's Special Investigation Team (SIT) arrested former Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) president A Padmakumar in Aranmula on Thursday, dealing a significant blow to the Kerala government and ruling Left Democratic Front.

Padmakumar, who initially appeared for questioning in the morning, was arrested later that evening following an extensive interrogation.

This development challenges the CPI(M)'s repeated assertions that neither the party nor the state government had any involvement in the Sabarimala gold theft. With Padmakumar being a member of the Pathanamthitta district committee, the party's position of denial now faces increased scrutiny.

According to SIT findings, Padmakumar allegedly played a central role in orchestrating the theft, including directing that the stolen Sabarimala gold be transferred to Unnikrishnan Potti, the first accused, with whom he maintained other non-temple financial and land dealings.

Investigators believe he used temple officials to convey covert instructions, made unauthorized alterations to Devaswom Board minutes without proper authorization, and attempted to influence decisions through private agents.

The SIT suspects that the conspiracy behind the gold heist may have been planned at Padmakumar's residence. He served as TDB president in 2019 when the board considered a proposal to hand over gold-clad copper plates of the Dwarapalaka (guardian deity) idols and Sreekovil door frames to Unnikrishnan Potti for electroplating.

The controversy emerged from a donation made by industrialist Vijay Mallya in 1998, consisting of 30.3 kilograms of gold and 1,900 kilograms of copper intended for cladding the sanctum sanctorum and wooden carvings of the Sabarimala Ayyappa temple in Kerala.

The SIT plans to seek Padmakumar's custody again on Monday for further questioning based on evidence collected during their raid.

With this latest arrest, the SIT has now taken five individuals into custody, including prime accused Potty and Vasu, in connection with two cases involving gold missing from the Dwarapalaka idols and the Sreekovil door frames.