SIT to question Congress MP Adoor Prakash in Sabarimala gold theft case
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Thiruvananthapuram: The Special Investigation Team (SIT) investigating the Sabarimala gold theft case has escalated its inquiry by deciding to record the statement of UDF convener and Congress MP Adoor Prakash. Investigators are seeking to clarify the nature of Prakash's alleged association with the prime accused, Unnikrishnan Potti, with specific focus on details regarding a trip the two reportedly took to Delhi. The SIT is currently verifying information related to this visit and other interactions between the two men.
When questioned by the media about the summons, an irritated Prakash denied receiving any official notice before driving away. "I do not know of any such thing, maybe you ( media) would have got the notice, I have not got anything," he stated.
The case has triggered a political blame game, with images circulating on social media showing Potti with Congress Parliamentary Party Chairperson Sonia Gandhi. These images surfaced as a counter-narrative to earlier reports linking Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan to the accused. The investigation has already ensnared high-profile figures; ten individuals, including three senior CPI-M leaders, are currently in jail in connection with the theft.
This development coincides with the custody handover of Potti and two other accused to the probe team for a day's questioning on Wednesday. The SIT plans to cross-reference Potti's testimony with statements already recorded from senior CPI-M legislator and former Devaswom Minister Kadakampally Surendran, who also allegedly maintained close ties with the accused.
Investigators have indicated that the primary focus is to uncover the broader conspiracy behind the theft of gold plates linked to the Sabarimala temple. The probe aims to determine if individuals with high-level political or institutional connections played a role in facilitating the crime or shielding the perpetrators. Officials have hinted that further summons may be issued as evidence emerges in the coming days.
(Inputs from IANS)