Sabarimala gold scam: SIT points to Padmakumar’s alleged intervention

Thiruvananthapuram: The Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the Sabarimala gold theft case has uncovered fresh evidence pointing to the alleged direct involvement of former Travancore Devaswom Board president A Padmakumar in the loss of gold from the temple.

According to sources, the SIT found that the minutes originally signed by the Devaswom Board members clearly stated that the gold-plating works should be carried out in the presence of the Thiruvabharanam Commissioner. However, Padmakumar later altered this line using a green ink pen, adding the words “to take out for gold plating,” and then signed it. The handwriting on the minutes will now undergo scientific examination.

Normally, if corrections are made to the minutes after Board members have signed them, the revised minutes should also be countersigned by those members, along with the president. In this instance, however, no such procedure was followed. The SIT will also examine whether Padmakumar independently intervened to remove the gold from Sabarimala without informing the other Board members.

During interrogation, Board members KP Shankardas and P Vijayakumar stated that the minutes they had signed did not contain any reference to “taking out for gold plating.” They said the final order authorising the removal of the temple doors for gold plating was issued solely on the basis of Padmakumar’s correction.

The SIT has also received statements suggesting that the former TDB president made a similar intervention in the gold plating of the Dwarapalaka idols. Meanwhile, former TDB Secretary Jayasree told investigators that Padmakumar had instructed her to include the clause “taking out for gold plating,” and that the final order was issued with this added clause—absent from the original minutes—after repeated insistence from the president.