Minister K in Sabarimala gold scam case. Muraleedharan has assured strict punishment to the culprits. The SIT report has found evidence against 7 people including former TDB chairman PS Prashant. At the same time, Prashant has denied the allegations and called it a political conspiracy.
Thiruvananthapuram (Kerala) [भारत]June 30 (ANI): Intensifying the legal dispute related to Lord Ayyappa temple, Kerala Devaswom and Health Minister K. Muraleedharan has announced that anyone found responsible for the Sabarimala gold misappropriation scam will face stringent punishment. The minister’s statement comes after a crucial Special Investigation Team (SIT) report submitted to the Kerala High Court revealed “concrete evidence” against seven prominent individuals, including former Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) president PS Prashanth.
Investigation being conducted under judicial supervision: Muraleedharan
Clarifying the executive limits of the state, Muraleedharan stressed that the investigation is being conducted completely under judicial supervision. Addressing local journalists on Monday, Minister Muraleedharan rejected any claims of state interference. He clarified that the executive has no control over the current investigation team. Minister Muraleedharan stressed, “No one will be spared. Whoever stole the gold will definitely be punished.”
He further said, “This investigation was conducted by the Special Investigation Team (SIT), which was appointed by the High Court. We have no role in it. However, if we get the report, the Cabinet will take the final decision.” He also stressed that the SIT works independently and is answerable only to the High Court. Muraleedharan said, “SIT is an independent body; it is completely controlled by the High Court. The government has no control over this SIT. So, what kind of irregularities is he talking about? If he has stolen the gold, he will have to face punishment.”
The Sabarimala gold theft controversy has its roots in a donation made by industrialist Vijay Mallya in 1998. He gifted 30.3 kg of gold and 1,900 kg of copper for the gold plating and cladding work of the temple. Subsequent inspection and court-monitored investigation revealed discrepancies between the quantity donated and the quantity actually used. These discrepancies reportedly occurred under the pretext of re-polishing and re-gilding the temple structures in 2019.
Prashant rejected the allegations, accused of political conspiracy
Meanwhile, Prashant on Monday denied the allegations against him in the Sabarimala idol gold misuse case. He claimed that he has been falsely implicated due to political interference, adding that he has fully cooperated with the SIT. Prashanth claimed that he had met Unnikrishnan Potti only once in the office of the Executive Officer in 2023 and said that he never met Govardhan. He also said that he knew Pankaj Bhandari only through media reports.
Alleging that the 2019 theft case was being raised again to divert attention, he said he had no objection to a fair investigation. He further claimed that the files related to the Dwarpalak statues reached him only on October 9, 2024. He alleged that Unnikrishnan Potti had made false statements about the location of the Asana to weaken the Ayyappa Sangamam. “…I met Unnikrishnan Potti only once in 2023 in the office of the Executive Officer. I never met Govardhan, and I know Pankaj Bhandari only through media reports. I believe the 2019 theft case is now being raised again to divert attention. In 2019, I was with the Congress, and I have no objection to a proper investigation. The files related to the Dwarapalak statues reached me on October 9, Reached only in 2024. Unnikrishnan Potti falsely claimed that Asan was in the office of the Executive Officer, whereas it was not so. I believe he made false statements to weaken Ayyappa Sangam.”
Prashant also alleged political interference in his being made an accused and claimed that the step might have been taken under pressure from the current Chief Minister. Stating that he had no complaints against the Special Investigation Team (SIT), he said he appeared before it thrice and cooperated fully in the investigation. He further claimed that the previous government never put pressure on the SIT and questioned whether the Devaswom minister had the legal right to pursue such a complaint. “I suspect that there has been political interference in making me an accused, possibly under pressure from the sitting Chief Minister. I myself have no complaint against the SIT. I appeared before the SIT thrice and cooperated fully. The previous government never put pressure on the SIT, and even K Muraleedharan’s letter proves the same. We also need to investigate whether the Devaswom minister had the legal right to move such a complaint.” (ANI)
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