Former TDB President Granted Bail in Sabarimala Gold Plating Case
In a significant development, the Kollam vigilance court has granted bail to former Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) president A Padmakumar in the case concerning the alleged smuggling of gold plating from the kattilappadi (door frame) structures at the Sabarimala temple. However, Padmakumar will remain in judicial custody as he has not secured bail in a separate, related case involving the alleged theft of gold plates from the dwarapalaka idols at the same temple.
Arrest and Allegations in the Gold Scam
Padmakumar was arrested on November 20, 2025, in connection with the kattilappadi case, where he was listed as the eighth accused. The arrest came following an investigation by the Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the broader Sabarimala gold scam. According to the SIT, the alleged theft was executed with Padmakumar's knowledge during his tenure as TDB president.
The SIT informed the court that what it described as the TDB's "mysterious inaction" was part of a planned gold misappropriation scheme. Investigators stated that Padmakumar's arrest was based on collected statements and material evidence indicating a close association between him and Unnikrishnan Potti, the first accused in the case.
Other Arrests and Bail Status
Other members of the 2019 TDB board, including CPI leader K P Sankaradas and CPM representative N Vijayakumar, were also arrested in this case. N Vasu, who served as the devaswom commissioner during that period and later became TDB president, was arrested earlier.
In the broader Sabarimala gold misappropriation cases, several individuals have already secured bail, including:
- Unnikrishnan Potti
- N Vasu
- Tanthri Kandararu Rajeevaru
- Former Sabarimala administrative officer K Murari Babu
- Former executive officers D Sudheesh Kumar and S Sreekumar
Former Thiruvabharanam commissioner K S Baiju was granted statutory bail in the kattilappadi case but continues to remain in custody in the dwarapalaka idols case.
Tanthri Alleges Political Retaliation
Meanwhile, Kandararu Rajeevaru, who secured bail in both cases, has made serious allegations in his bail plea. He claimed that his arrest was an act of retaliation for blocking attempts to allow the entry of young women into Sabarimala and for thwarting efforts to convert the temple into one open on all days of the year.
In his petition, the tanthri contended that certain police officers attempted to facilitate the entry of women devotees to please the ruling party, and he intervened to prevent it. He stated that he made it clear that political interference in temple affairs would not be permitted, warning that he would stop performing pujas and leave the temple premises if such attempts continued.
Court Observations on Responsibilities
The Kollam vigilance court noted that the SIT failed to produce evidence against the tanthri in the case. The court order clarified that the responsibility for the safe custody of gold plates and other valuables rests with the TDB, while the tanthri's duties are confined to ritual and ceremonial matters. This distinction highlights the administrative versus religious roles in temple management, adding a layer of complexity to the ongoing investigations.
