Leader of the Opposition V.D. Satheesan on Tuesday (December 30, 2025) alleged that Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan’s office (CMO) had exerted pressure on the Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the Sabarimala gold theft case to delay the questioning of former Devaswom Minister Kadakampally Surendran till the local body elections were over.
He alleged that it was done purposefully as the questioning of Mr. Surendran at the time of the polls would have further impacted the electoral prospects of the Left front. He was questioned after the Kerala High Court had criticised the serious stagnation in the probe. The court had endorsed the view expressed by the Opposition that the government was exerting pressure on the SIT, he said.
Mr. Satheesan alleged that Mr. Surendran’s questioning was inevitable as he had role in linking the prime accused Unnikrishnan Potti with the higher-ups in the Travancore Devaswom Board. He had very close links with Unnikrishnan Potti and the SIT had received statements to prove it, he claimed.
He alleged that the Communist Party of India (Marxist) was hesitant to act against three party leaders, who continue to remain in jail in connection with the gold theft case. The State leadership of the party was not taking action as it feared that those in jail may spill out the names of even bigger leaders, he alleged.
Published – December 30, 2025 06:50 pm IST
