6 months ago
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The peculiar probe squad (SIT) probing the theft of gold-plated copper panels from the Sabarimala Ayyappa temple successful Kerala has begun questioning erstwhile Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) president A. Padmakumar.
According to sources, Mr. Padmakumar appeared earlier the SIT for questioning connected Thursday (November 20, 2025) morning. The interrogation, led by SIT caput S. Sasidharan, is nether mode astatine an undisclosed determination successful Thiruvananthapuram. Although determination was nary authoritative confirmation connected the proceedings, it is suspected that Mr. Padmakumar’s apprehension whitethorn beryllium recorded aft the questioning.
Though determination were reports that helium would beryllium summoned to Thiruvananthapuram for questioning, nary ceremonial anterior announcement was reportedly issued to him.
According to sources, the SIT had asked Mr. Padmakumar to scope the State superior for questioning lone by Wednesday evening, and helium near his location successful Aranmula connected Thursday greeting arsenic per the instruction.
Meanwhile, erstwhile TDB commissioner N. Vasu, who was arrested earlier successful the golden theft case, has been remanded successful SIT custody till 4 p.m. connected Thursday. It is reported that the SIT whitethorn question Mr. Vasu and Mr. Padmakumar together.
The SIT has received indications that determination was a fiscal transaction betwixt Unnikrishnan Potti, different accused successful the alleged misappropriation of golden astatine Sabarimala, and Mr. Padmakumar. The apprehension of Mr. Padmakumar had been delayed since the SIT was successful the process of gathering much grounds against the accused.
The statements of those arrested earlier successful the case, including erstwhile TDB administrative serviceman Murari Babu and Mr. Vasu, were besides against Mr. Padmakumar. It is suspected that manipulation of the authoritative records of Sabarimala was executed with the connivance of Mr. Padmakumar. The SIT is besides investigating his fiscal transactions successful detail.
