The judicial remand of A Padmakumar, former president of the Travancore Devaswom Board, has been extended by two weeks in connection with the theft of gold plating from the Dwarapalaka sculptures at the Sabarimala temple. His existing remand in a separate case involving gold stolen from the sanctum sanctorum door panel is set to conclude on Thursday. The court has scheduled consideration of Padmakumar's bail application in the Dwarapalaka matter for December 22, while directing the Special Investigation Team to submit a detailed report.

In related developments, Unnikrishnan Potty and Murari Babu, recently released from SIT custody, were presented before the court and placed in judicial remand. Murari Babu faces charges in the Dwarapalaka gold plating theft, whereas Potty is implicated in the door panel gold theft. The SIT has requested further custodial interrogation for both, citing newly acquired evidence, with Public Prosecutor Siju Rajan representing the prosecution.

The Enforcement Directorate has filed an application for certified copies of key records in the Sabarimala gold theft case, scheduled for review on Tuesday. These documents include FIRs, remand reports, accused statements, and seized materials, intended to support potential further actions. The ED maintains its authority to launch an independent probe, despite opposition from the SIT, which argues that a parallel investigation is unwarranted amid its active proceedings.

Also Read: Sabarimala Gold Theft Probe: SIT Gets Two-Day Custody of Primary Accused

The Special Investigation Team has recorded the statement of a non-resident Keralite businessman as part of the ongoing inquiry. This follows information provided by Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala, who informed the SIT of the businessman's claims regarding international antique trafficking rackets potentially involved in the theft.

Sources indicate that the businessman, whose identity remains confidential, detailed the operations of transnational networks dealing in stolen temple artifacts and their suspected links to the Sabarimala incidents. This testimony adds a new dimension to the investigation, broadening the scope to include possible global connections in the high-profile case.

Also Read: Congress Leader Alleges International Smuggling Syndicates Behind Sabarimala Gold Theft