CPI(M) Issues Show-Cause Notice to Padmakumar in Sabarimala Gold Case

Overview

• A notice sent by registered post seeks Padmakumar’s explanation for conduct alleged to have brought disrepute to the party.
• The step was initiated on state leadership’s directive without prior discussion at the district secretariat or committee, which insiders say could precede his removal from the district committee.
• The CPI(M) district committee has removed him from its official WhatsApp group to block access to deliberations, citing risks of internal dissent and political exploitation by rivals.
• Padmakumar, the eighth accused in the Sabarimala gold theft, was arrested by the SIT on November 20, 2025 and received statutory bail on March 4, 2026 as the investigation continues.
• Publicly available material has not shown direct links between him and prime accused Unnikrishnan Potti, with a raid at his home yielding no proof, while separate coverage featured images of MLA Kadakampally Surendran with Potti and Surendran now alleging Potti is conspiring to malign him after a police complaint.