CPM says Pradeep exit won’t fix issue, alleges misuse of access to Sabarimala case documents

A political row has erupted in Kerala following the resignation of Devaswom advocate K B Pradeep on Saturday after Chief Minister V D Satheesan sought his resignation. Official sources said the move came amid intensifying controversy over his appointment and alleged links raised in connection with the Sabarimala gold loss cases.

“The Chief Minister had sought his resignation as Devaswom advocate, and he has now stepped down,” an official source told PTI.

The development comes amid sustained criticism from the opposition CPM against the Congress-led UDF government’s decision to appoint Pradeep as the Devaswom Department’s legal counsel. The controversy centres on allegations that the lawyer had previously appeared for accused persons in cases linked to the alleged misappropriation of gold used in temple works at Sabarimala.

LOP Pinarayi Vijayan questions appointment process

Leader of the Opposition Pinarayi Vijayan termed the situation a “strange development”, raising questions over how the appointment was made. He asked whether the Devaswom Minister was aware of the decision to appoint a lawyer who had represented Smart Creations, a firm named in the gold loss case.

His remarks added to the political pressure on the government, with the opposition questioning the procedural clarity behind the appointment.

Minister says appointment was cabinet decision, cites collective responsibility

Devaswom Minister K Muraleedharan said the appointment was made in accordance with a Cabinet decision and that the matter was left to the discretion of the Chief Minister.

In a separate response, he acknowledged that the government had erred in the appointment and said complaints had been received from devotees. He said the decision was taken after concerns were raised and clarified that there should be no scope for suspicion among the public.

Muraleedharan also said the Chief Minister had asked Pradeep to resign following the controversy, and that he had complied. He added that since the decision was taken by the Cabinet, responsibility lay collectively with the government, not any single individual.

CPM leaders allege conspiracy and misuse of access

Meanwhile, former law minister and CPM leader P Rajeev said Pradeep’s resignation alone would not resolve the concerns raised by the episode. He said that once appointed as government counsel, the lawyer would have had access to confidential case files.

Rajeev alleged that it must be examined whether sensitive documents, including SIT-related records, were accessed before the resignation. He also suggested that the sequence of events needed scrutiny to determine whether key materials had been reviewed during the tenure.

He further alleged that the matter pointed to a “planned conspiracy” to derail the investigation and called for a detailed probe into whether the position of government counsel had been misused.

Senior CPM leaders, including K N Balagopal and V N Vasavan, had alleged that the appointment was aimed at “sabotaging” the ongoing probe. Vasavan described the appointment as “mysterious” and claimed Pradeep had appeared for accused persons and also represented Smart Creations before the Kerala High Court.

The allegations relate to the alleged misappropriation of gold from copper plates of the Dwarapalaka idols and doors of the Sreekovil at the Lord Ayyappa shrine in Sabarimala. The Special Investigation Team probing the case has not yet filed its chargesheet.