GG News Bureau
Thiruvananthapuram, 22nd Nov: With the local body elections just weeks away, the Sabarimala gold theft case has exploded into a full-blown political crisis for the ruling CPI(M) in Kerala. The graft scandal — simmering for months — regained momentum after major revelations pointed to the alleged involvement of senior leaders in the controversial gold-plating of the sanctum sanctorum.
The pressure intensified after former Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) president A Padmakumar, arrested on November 20 as the sixth accused, reportedly told investigators that the proposal for the gold plating did not originate with the Board. Instead, he claimed it was sent directly to the government with ministerial assent — bypassing the established procedure.
The allegation has placed senior CPI(M) leader and former Devaswom Minister Kadakampally Surendran in the spotlight. According to sources close to the Special Investigation Team (SIT), Padmakumar admitted that prime accused Unnikrishnan Potty had submitted his proposal to government authorities, after which it was forwarded to the Board “with ministerial approval.” Padmakumar is also said to have acknowledged meeting Potty multiple times at Aranmula and the Board headquarters to “facilitate paperwork.”
SIT officials say these disclosures, backed by seized documents and revised official records from the Board office, proved crucial in establishing Padmakumar’s alleged role in the scam. The remand report describes him as the “key architect” who initiated the gold-plating plan in early 2019 and supervised changes to official minutes.
Investigators allege the Board’s documentation was altered to mislabel gold plates as copper, enabling their removal from Sannidhanam without suspicion. Officers have testified that decisions favouring Potty were executed on Padmakumar’s instructions.
With mounting evidence, the SIT now considers questioning Kadakampally Surendran essential. Investigators hope to determine whether ministerial influence compromised what should have been an independent Board decision. The probe also seeks answers regarding the fate of the original gold that reportedly went missing — including whether it was sold.
Meanwhile, the political opposition has launched an aggressive attack. Leader of the Opposition VD Satheesan pointed to Surendran’s alleged closeness with Potty and claimed the minister continued to back former Board member N Vasu “out of fear of being exposed,” despite deepening controversies.
Satheesan further alleged that the Devaswom Board under its current leadership reinstated Potty with the approval of the present Devaswom Minister, even after arrests in the case had begun — a move now under intense scrutiny.
As the investigation widens, anxiety within ruling circles appears to be growing. While CPI(M) leaders maintain silence publicly, political observers believe the party must brace for uncomfortable weeks ahead, especially with elections approaching.
Whether the scandal results in ministerial interrogation — or larger political casualties — remains to be seen. But one thing is clear: the sacred hill shrine of Sabarimala has now become the epicentre of Kerala’s fiercest political storm in recent memory.
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