Padmakumar's tenure as the president of the TDB between 2017 and 2019. He is arraigned as the eighth accused in the case being investigated by the Special Investigation Team (SIT) constituted by the Kerala High Court.
As expected, the Opposition has seized on the matter, alleging institutional involvement and a high-level conspiracy within the temple administration that points to the ruling party.
The arrest was recorded in Thiruvananthapuram at around 3 pm. Padmakumar, a senior CPM leader and former MLA, was grilled for four hours by the investigation team led by SP Sasidharan at a secret location here before his arrest.
A day after the conclusion of its state conference in Kollam, voices of dissent and protest surfaced in the Kerala CPI-M with party leaders resorting to an unusual protest over not getting a place in the CPI-M state committee and secretariat.
Speaking to media persons here, Padmakumar said the matter will be discussed at the Devaswom Board meeting to be held on Wednesday and a decision on it will be taken.
