Thiruvananthapuram: As the SIT investigation progresses, UDF convener Adoor Prakash has responded to the controversies involving Unnikrishnan Potti, prime accused in the Sabarimala gold theft case. He said that he had earlier accompanied Potti when he went to meet Sonia Gandhi, but at that time he was unaware that Potti was the leader of a robbery gang.

“Unnikrishnan Potti is a person from my constituency, and that is how I came to know him. He approached me requesting that I inaugurate annadanam (free food distribution) at Sabarimala, saying he was organising it there. I took part in that event. It was after that Potti went to Delhi to offer prasadam to Sonia Gandhi. Potti already had prior permission to meet Sonia Gandhi. I merely accompanied him. It was not through me that Potti met Sonia Gandhi,” Adoor Prakash said.

He alleged that a Member of Parliament based in Delhi was leading all these dealings, and that he was acting as a bridge between the CPM and BJP. He added that this individual had called Potti several times, and that if those phone calls were examined, the conspiracy would come to light.

He also said it has been proven that the Chief Minister personally came down from his office and received the key of a vehicle brought by Unnikrishnan Potti. He demanded a proper investigation into this too. While welcoming the SIT probe against him, he stated that there should also be an investigation into high-level connections.

A detailed probe into the financial sources of those linked to the case is necessary, he said. The truth will emerge only if the financial transactions of those operating behind the scenes are also brought to light.