Kerala LoP Satheesan accuses CM Vijayan of 'manipulating' Sabarimala gold theft probe
text_fields
Kochi: Leader of the Opposition in the Kerala Assembly, V. D. Satheesan, launched a blistering attack on Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Friday, accusing the Chief Minister's Office (CMO) of actively interfering to derail the investigation into the Sabarimala gold theft case.
Satheesan rejected CM Vijayan's claims that the High Court appointed Special Investigation Team (SIT) was operating without obstruction. Instead, he alleged that the government was exerting pressure on the SIT to shield senior CPI(M) leaders from legal scrutiny.
"The recent induction of two officials allegedly linked to the CPI(M) into the SIT was cited as evidence of a systematic effort to infiltrate the investigation and leak confidential details to the ruling party," Satheesan stated. He argued that the thefts, which date back to 2019, only came to light due to judicial intervention, warning that without it, even the Ayyappa idol could have been stolen.
Satheesan clarified that the SIT's focus is on tracing the stolen gold, its sale, and the source of the Dwarapalaka sculpture donation, rather than merely targeting individuals photographed with the prime accused, Unnikrishnan Potti. "Being in a photograph does not make one an accused," he said, adding that three CPI(M) leaders are already jailed in connection with the case.
Dismissing the Chief Minister's anti-RSS rhetoric as "political theatre," Satheesan alleged a tacit understanding between the CPI(M) and the BJP. He cited the disruption of the Thrissur Pooram festival, which allegedly benefited BJP candidate Suresh Gopi, a claim also echoed by the CPI.
"There should be equal scrutiny for all, including the Chief Minister, if questioning is based on proximity to the accused," Satheesan remarked, noting that Vijayan himself had been pictured with Potti.
In related developments, the SIT is expected to inform the High Court on Monday that a CBI probe, requested by State BJP president Rajeev Chandrasekhar, is unnecessary. Meanwhile, N. Vasu, a jailed CPI(M) leader and former Travancore Devaswom Board Commissioner, has filed a fresh bail plea after his previous application was rejected by the High Court.
(Inputs from IANS)