Sabarimala gold case: CM defends SIT, says questioning Kadakampally part of investigation

Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Thursday responded to controversy surrounding the Special Investigation Team (SIT) questioning former Devaswom minister Kadakampally Surendran in the Sabarimala gold smuggling case.

Speaking at a press conference, Vijayan said the SIT may need to seek clarity on several matters and that it is entirely up to them to decide whom to question. He added that questioning Kadakampally was part of the ongoing investigation. The Chief Minister also noted that the SIT does not announce in advance who it will question.

“Why should the opposition leader complain? Those who are raising objections about the Sabarimala gold theft are the ones who have made this a habit. The investigation is being conducted under the supervision of the High Court. The SIT is performing its duties properly. There are no complaints in the investigation so far. Neither the Chief Minister nor the office intervenes in any way. The recommendation to have the investigation under the High Court’s supervision was put forward by us,” he said.

Meanwhile, Vijayan ruled out the need for a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe at this stage into the Sabarimala gold heist case, asserting that the High Court-monitored SIT was proceeding in the "right direction" and enjoying broad public confidence.

Vijayan also responded to queries regarding the controversy surrounding a photo that surfaced in connection with the case.

The picture shows Congress MP Adoor Prakash, Anto Antony, the Congress MP from Pathanamthitta, prime accused Unnikirshnan Potty, and another jeweller who is also currently in jail, alongside Congress leader Sonia Gandhi.

Prakash on Thursday said it was the Chief Minister's Political Secretary, P. Sasi, who was behind spreading news that he was going to be questioned by the SIT.

Vijayan said the people were seeking answers on how such individuals came together in a single frame and who facilitated their access to a high-security leader like Sonia Gandhi.

"When questions are being raised on how these people reached close to Sonia Gandhi and what role the MPs had in it, there has been no reply from those concerned," Vijayan said, stressing that the state government had nothing to hide and nothing to do with the investigation.