Satheesan Demands Answers on Sabarimala Priest's Arrest in Gold Heist Case
Opposition leader V D Satheesan on Monday sharply questioned the grounds for the arrest and detention of Sabarimala chief priest Kandararu Rajeevaru in the high-profile gold heist case. His remarks come in the wake of a high court observation that there was no evidence to initiate a case against the priest.
Court's 'No Evidence' Ruling Sparks Political Outcry
The high court granted bail to the tanthri, noting that there was not even an "iota of evidence" against him. Satheesan stated, "The court granted bail to the tanthri observing that there was not even an 'iota of evidence' against him. SIT owes us an explanation regarding that." He emphasized that while the priest does not require special protection, the court order implies he was denied the basic protections afforded to any ordinary citizen.
Satheesan made these comments during a press interaction on the sidelines of a reception for the UDF's Puthu Yuga Yatra in Adimali, Idukki. He highlighted the inconsistency in the handling of the case, pointing to the swift arrest followed by the court's dismissal of evidence.
Allegations of Political Motives and CPM's Silence
The senior Congress leader accused the ruling CPM of exploiting the arrest for political gain. He alleged that when the tantri was initially arrested, CPM leaders and party social media channels portrayed it as a "credit" to Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan. However, they have since fallen silent in light of the court's ruling.
According to Satheesan, the investigation's focus shifted to the tantri at a critical juncture when allegations had emerged against a former minister, a current minister, and three other leaders, all of whom landed in jail, putting the CPM in a difficult position. "The same suspicion we raised then remains even now," he asserted, suggesting the arrest was a diversionary tactic.
Ongoing Assembly Boycott and Demands for Accountability
Satheesan reiterated that the opposition continues to boycott the assembly, demanding the resignation of Devaswom Minister V N Vasavan and an end to alleged pressure from the chief minister's office on the Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the Sabarimala gold heist case. This boycott underscores the political tensions surrounding the investigation and the perceived mishandling of the priest's arrest.
The gold heist case, which involves the theft of valuable items from the Sabarimala temple, has become a focal point of political controversy in Kerala. The arrest of the chief priest, followed by the court's critical observations, has raised serious questions about the integrity of the investigation and potential political interference.
As the debate intensifies, stakeholders are calling for transparency and accountability to ensure justice is served without bias or external influence. The case continues to unfold, with implications for both the religious community and the political landscape in the state.
