Sabarimala Gold Theft Probe Deepens: Ex-Official's Passport Seized Over Mysterious Foreign Trip Claims

In a recent and rather significant turn of events, the Special Investigation Team (SIT) delving into the contentious Sabarimala gold theft case has seized the passport belonging to V.S. Padmakumar, who formerly served as the executive officer of the Devaswom Board. This development, you see, marks a crucial step in unraveling the intricate web of alleged malpractices surrounding the gold-plating of the Sabarimala Sreekovil's roof, a project that has, unfortunately, found itself mired in considerable controversy.

Now, why the sudden interest in his travel documents, you might ask? Well, it all boils down to a perplexing discrepancy concerning a foreign trip. Padmakumar stands accused of having traveled abroad with Krishnadas, alias Unni, a former melshanthi (chief priest) who is, in fact, one of the primary accused individuals already in custody in this high-profile case. The critical point of contention? Padmakumar claims they journeyed to England together, while Unni, interestingly enough, insists their destination was Egypt. It's quite the dilemma for the investigators, wouldn't you agree?

This isn't just about a simple vacation, mind you; it's intricately linked to the very heart of the gold plating project for the Sreekovil, which, as we know, has been at the center of this alleged fraud. The SIT's immediate goal with this passport seizure is quite clear: they need to definitively establish the true destination and purpose of that trip. The travel records contained within the passport, investigators hope, will either corroborate one of the conflicting statements or perhaps even reveal an entirely different narrative altogether.

It's worth noting that Krishnadas Potti and his relative Krishnakumar are already behind bars in connection with the case. Padmakumar, meanwhile, is currently undergoing intense interrogation, with the SIT keen on extracting more information regarding his alleged involvement and to cross-verify all his statements. This isn't just about a passport, it's about piecing together a complex puzzle that involves temple sanctity, public trust, and significant sums of money.

Ultimately, the SIT's persistent efforts aim to leave no stone unturned in this investigation. The recovery of Padmakumar's passport is expected to shed much-needed light on these disputed foreign travel claims, which could, in turn, provide vital clues and potentially uncover further layers of the alleged gold theft and renovation irregularities at one of Kerala's most revered pilgrimage sites.