Sabarimala gold theft case: State’s stance helpful for accused, says V.D. Satheeshan

The stance taken by the State government and the special investigation team (SIT) on the Sabarimala gold theft case was aimed at helping the accused, Opposition leader V.D. Satheeshan has alleged.

Addressing the media here on Saturday, he said the accused in the case received bail in the wake of a delay in submitting the chargesheet, which was due to the intervention of the office of the Chief Minister.

Mr. Satheeshan alleged that the SIT, which has not yet retrieved the gold looted from Sabarimala, has been trying to shield some of the influential suspects under the radar. He said the delay in submitting the interim chargesheet was a result of an understanding between the State government and the investigating agency, adding that the deliberate lapse by the police has given undue legal advantages to the accused.

The Opposition leader also alleged that the Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)] has been trying to quietly cover up allegations related to the Payyannur CPI(M) fund scam without informing the police.

CPI(M) Kannur district committee member V. Kunhikrishnan recently raised serious allegations against party leaders, accusing them of misappropriating funds collected for the family of a slain party worker and election campaigns. The revelations regarding the case should be investigated by the police, not the party, he said. The Opposition leader also stated that he stands by every allegation he has made against former Devaswom Minister Kadakampally Surendran.