Leader of Opposition in the Kerala Assembly, V. D. Satheesan, criticized Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan for alleged interference in the Sabarimala gold theft case investigation by the Special Investigation Team (SIT). Satheesan claimed that the Chief Minister’s Office had pressured the SIT, despite Vijayan’s denial of any obstruction.
Satheesan highlighted the appointment of two officials linked to the CPI(M) in the SIT as evidence of attempts to influence the investigation and protect senior CPI(M) leaders. He emphasized the need for a thorough probe into the gold theft at Sabarimala, focusing on identifying the culprits and tracing the stolen gold’s whereabouts.
The Opposition leader clarified that mere presence in a photograph with the prime accused does not imply guilt, urging fair scrutiny for all involved, including senior political figures. He criticized Vijayan’s stance on resisting the RSS as mere political drama, citing alleged connections with the BJP in past incidents.
In a separate development, the SIT is set to inform the High Court that a CBI investigation is unnecessary, responding to a plea from State BJP president Rajeev Chandrasekhar. Meanwhile, an accused CPI(M) leader, N. Vasu, currently in jail, has sought bail after a rejection by the Kerala High Court.
