CPI(M) to keep Padmakumar away

The CPI(M) has decided to keep A. Padmakumar, former president of the Travancore Devaswom Board and member of the party’s Pathanamthitta District Committee, away from all activities of the party in light of his alleged involvement in the Sabarimala gold scandal.

According to CPI(M) State secretariat member T.M. Thomas Isaac, disciplinary action against Padmakumar will be taken only after the Special Investigation Team (SIT) files the charge sheets. Mr. Padmakumar, a former legislator, is the 11th accused in the case related to the alleged theft of gold from the Dwarapalaka (guardian deity) idols. He is also arraigned as the eighth accused in the case concerning gold lost from the temple’s doorframe.

Speaking after a meeting of the CPI(M) district leadership on Monday,Mr. Isaac confirmed that Mr. Padmakumar had submitted an explanation regarding the allegations. “He has stated that he has not committed any offence and has provided answers to all questions, which will be examined by the party committee,” he said.

Mr. Isaac added that Mr. Padmakumar would stay away from party activities until the SIT files the charge sheets. “Suspension is a punitive measure. What offences were committed will be clear only after the charge sheets are filed,” he noted, while emphasising that the CPI(M) does not protect anyone involved in wrongdoings.

The SIT has informed the High Court, which is supervising the investigation, that the chargesheets in both cases will be submitted before the end of this month.