Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has firmly rejected allegations from opposition parties that his office interfered with the Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the sensational gold heist at Sabarimala. He asserted that the investigation is proceeding under the direct supervision of the High Court.
CM Denies Any Interference in SIT Probe
Addressing the media in Thiruvananthapuram, the Chief Minister stated that the SIT was conducting its duties independently. He emphasized that neither he nor the Chief Minister's Office (CMO) had any role in directing the probe. "We had sought an SIT probe with HC monitoring it. The CM or CMO has not interfered with the probe," Vijayan declared. He attributed the allegations to political opponents who had "nothing left to say."
Controversial Photo Takes Center Stage
The political controversy intensified after a photograph surfaced showing UDF convener Adoor Prakash and MP Anto Antony alongside Congress leader Sonia Gandhi. Also present in the picture were Unnikrishnan Potti, the key accused in the gold theft case, and a controversial businessman alleged to have purchased the stolen gold.
Vijayan seized on this image, demanding explanations from the opposition. "Prakash claimed he had not arranged Potti's meeting with Sonia. Then he will have to explain how he was present alongside these controversial persons during their meeting with Sonia," the CM questioned. He stressed the need for clarity on how individuals linked to a criminal case could gain access to a national leader.
Opposition's CBI Demand Rejected
The Chief Minister also turned down demands from both the Congress and BJP for a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) inquiry into the matter. He argued that there was no necessity for a CBI probe as the current SIT investigation was "proceeding in the right direction." Vijayan clarified that the SIT alone had the authority to decide whom to question and whose statements to record.
In this context, he addressed the SIT's questioning of former Devaswom Minister Kadakampally Surendran, suggesting it was likely part of the process to gather more information and clarifications.
Allegations and Counter-Allegations Fly
Earlier, the CMO had issued a strong denial of Adoor Prakash's claims of government interference in the SIT's work. The CMO statement labeled Prakash's assertion that the CM's political secretary fabricated news of his questioning as "unfounded." It reminded everyone that the HC-appointed SIT reports directly to the court, and a directive exists against leaking information, absolving the CMO of any involvement.
For his part, Adoor Prakash had stated that the SIT had not officially summoned him, learning of the supposed questioning only through media reports he believed were driven by the CM's political secretary. "I'm not running away; am here. If SIT summons me, I will certainly go and give my statement. I have nothing to hide," Prakash said, denying any role in arranging Potti's meeting with Sonia Gandhi.
The political duel over the Sabarimala gold heist investigation continues to escalate, with the controversial photograph adding a new layer of intrigue to the ongoing probe.
