Sabarimala Gold Theft: Senior CPI(M) Leader Arrested, Probe Expands to Board

• Kerala Crime Branch SIT arrested N. Vijayakumar, former Travancore Devaswom Board member and senior CPI(M) activist, in the Sabarimala gold theft case.
• Vijayakumar's arrest, the 10th in the case, is a significant turning point, expanding the probe to the collective functioning of the Devaswom Board.
• Investigators claim evidence shows Vijayakumar knew about gold plates being handed to main accused Unnikrishnan Potty, despite his claims of innocence.
• The Kerala High Court had criticized the SIT for not investigating all board members, leading Vijayakumar to withdraw his anticipatory bail plea.
• A new lead emerged as a businessman reported a transaction of Sabarimala artifacts between Unnikrishnan Potty and D. Mani, suspecting smuggling abroad.

Why It Matters: Senior CPI(M) leader N. Vijayakumar's arrest in Sabarimala gold theft expands probe to entire board.