Opposition Leader VS Satheesan Accuses Government of Stalling Sabarimala Gold Theft Investigation
Leader of Opposition in Kerala, V S Satheesan, made serious allegations on Tuesday regarding the Special Investigation Team (SIT) probe into the high-profile Sabarimala gold theft case. Speaking to media representatives after boycotting the day's assembly session, Satheesan claimed the investigation has effectively come to a standstill, creating conditions that allow the arrested accused to secure bail.
Procedural Delays Enable Bail for Accused
Satheesan pointed out that no preliminary charge sheet has been filed even after ninety days of investigation, which he said directly enables the accused to obtain bail under legal provisions. He specifically mentioned that key accused individuals, including Unnikrishnan Potti and three CPM leaders, are benefiting from these investigative delays that could potentially lead to their release from judicial custody.
"No substantial evidence has been uncovered so far, and the entire investigation appears to have been deliberately halted to ensure everyone walks free," Satheesan asserted during his media interaction. He further elaborated that the opposition is protesting both inside and outside the legislative assembly against what they describe as the government's systematic attempt to weaken the probe and facilitate the release of accused persons without proper charges being filed.
Allegations Against Former Devaswom Board Officials
The opposition leader made additional serious claims regarding evidence tampering and procedural manipulation. He alleged that former devaswom board president A Padmakumar had altered official registers to facilitate the smuggling of a valuable Dwarapalaka sculpture from the temple premises. Satheesan revealed that forensic examination related to this particular aspect was conducted only three days prior to his statement, which he characterized as a deliberate delay intended to compromise the investigation.
"The accused are actively attempting to destroy crucial evidence and prevent the complete exposure of the gold theft scandal," Satheesan stated emphatically. He connected these actions to what he described as a broader pattern of obstruction in the case.
Political Figures Named in Allegations
Satheesan specifically named several prominent political figures in his allegations, including ministers Kadakampally Surendran and V N Vasavan, along with former devaswom board presidents. He claimed these individuals were directly involved in the gold smuggling operation that has rocked the famous Sabarimala temple.
Referring to discussions that took place in the legislative assembly, Satheesan characterized ministers' statements as "misleading" and challenged claims that courts had criticized the opposition regarding the Sabarimala issue. Instead, he asserted that the court had actually criticized the SIT for investigative delays and noted that judicial observations indicated bail was granted specifically because no charge sheet had been filed within the stipulated timeframe.
Claims of Political Interference in Investigation
The opposition leader referenced additional allegations that the Chief Minister's Office had pressured investigating officials to slow down the probe during local body elections. Satheesan claimed these allegations were later substantiated through remarks made in court proceedings, suggesting political interference at the highest levels of state administration.
When questioned about the Law Minister's suggestion for an investigation into the United Democratic Front's (UDF) tenure, Satheesan responded pointedly: "Who is actually stopping such an investigation from proceeding?" He reminded journalists that in 2019, when the CPM was in power, Kadakampally Surendran had served as the devaswom minister with oversight responsibility for temple administration.
Historical Context and Ongoing Concerns
Satheesan alleged that the original gold theft occurred with the explicit approval of the CPM-led devaswom board during their administrative tenure. He further claimed there was another attempted theft in 2024, indicating an ongoing pattern rather than an isolated incident.
The opposition leader suggested that CPM has taken no disciplinary action against jailed party leaders due to fears that more prominent names could surface during proper investigation. He referenced court observations that original gold worth crores of rupees had been sold and replaced with counterfeit copper, emphasizing that "the opposition is merely repeating what the court has already documented in its observations."
Satheesan's comprehensive allegations paint a picture of systematic obstruction, political protection of accused individuals, and deliberate delays in what should have been a straightforward investigation into temple property theft. The opposition leader positioned his party as merely echoing judicial concerns rather than creating political controversy, while simultaneously accusing the ruling establishment of protecting their own through investigative inertia.
