Sabarimala gold theft case: SIT Questions Former Devaswom Minister Kadkampally Surendran
He was grilled in his capacity as Devaswom Minister during the time the alleged gold theft occurred in 2019. The questioning lasted nearly two hours, with officials seeking details about his connection with the main accused, Unnikrishnan Potty
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the Sabarimala gold theft case has questioned former Devaswom Minister and senior CPM leader Kadakampally Surendran.
He was grilled in his capacity as Devaswom Minister during the time the alleged gold theft occurred in 2019. The questioning lasted nearly two hours, with officials seeking details about his connection with the main accused, Unnikrishnan Potty.
Kadakampally, who is also a CPM MLA from Kazhakootam assembly constituency, reportedly told the SIT that, as Devaswom Minister, he had not intervened in the decision to hand over the gold plates to Potty. The minister was reportedly questioned by SIT officials on Saturday.
Responding to queries from mediapersons regarding the SIT questioning, Kadampally Surendran said ;``As the Devaswom Minister in 2019, they asked me to share certain information, which I did,” he said. When asked about reports that former Devaswom President A. Padmakumar had mentioned his name, the former minister declined to comment and got into his car.
Surendran's questioning coincided with the arrest of former Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) member N. Vijayakumar. Vijayakumar surrendered at the SIT office after being questioned by officials. Following his arrest, he was produced before the Vigilance Court, which remanded him to judicial custody until January 12. His bail plea is set to be heard on December 31 at the Vigilance Court in Kollam.
Vijayakumar served as a board member during the tenure of former TDB president A. Padmakumar in 2019. The SIT claims that he and Padmakumar were involved in the decision to give gold to Unnikrishnan Potty.
Earlier, the SIT had arrested former TDB presidents Padmakumar and N. Vasu for their alleged roles in the case. The investigation, which had been dragging on, gained momentum after the Kerala High Court criticized the delay, leading to Vijayakumar’s arrest. Just last week, the SIT also took into custody Smart Creation CEO Panjkaj Bhandari and Goverdhan, a jewellery owner from Bellary.
Sabarimala gold theft case triggers political controversy
The Sabarimala gold theft case centers on the alleged misappropriation of several kilograms of gold from the temple’s Dwarapalaka idols and doors. The SIT discovered that the gold had been removed, sold, and replaced with copper plates. These shocking revelations led to the arrest of former TDB officials, including two former Devaswom Board presidents and a businessman. The case has sparked a major political controversy in the state, prompting the High Court to order a detailed investigation by the SIT.
The probe, monitored by the high court, is aimed at recovering the temple assets and holding accountable those involved in the wrongdoing. Political observers believe the Sabarimala gold theft case was also a factor contributing to the LDF's poor performance in the recent local body polls.
Opposition Leader V D Satheeshan slams government
Opposition leader VD Satheesan claimed that no one is innocent in the Sabarimala gold theft case and accused authorities of delaying Kadakampally’s questioning until after the local body elections to help the CPM. He said the delay only ended due to court intervention.
According to him, Kadakampally Surendran has ties with Unnikrishnan Potty, and the questioning was kept under wraps.
Satheesan argued that the SIT’s questioning proves Kadakampally’s involvement and accused the government of granting blanket immunity to the accused out of fear that more leaders’ names might surface from those in remand.
