On Sabarimala gold scam, Minister K Muraleedharan said – the guilty will not be spared. The SIT report has found evidence against 7 people including former TDB chairman PS Prashant. At the same time, Prashant has rejected the allegations and called it a political conspiracy.
Thiruvananthapuram (Kerala) [भारत]June 30 (ANI): Further escalating the legal controversy involving the Lord Ayyappa temple, Kerala Devaswom and Health Minister K Muraleedharan has announced that anyone found responsible for the high-profile Sabarimala gold embezzlement 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.
No government interference in investigation: Muraleedharan
Clarifying the executive limits of the state, Muraleedharan stressed that the investigation is being conducted completely under judicial supervision. Addressing local reporters on Monday, Minister Muraleedharan strongly rejected any claims of state interference and clarified that the executive machinery has no control over the current investigation team. Minister Muraleedharan stressed, “No one will be spared. Whoever stole the gold will definitely be punished.” “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 said.
He further said 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.”
What is the whole matter?
The Sabarimala gold theft controversy has its roots in a donation made in 1998 by industrialist Vijay Mallya, who 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 refinishing and re-gold-plating of the temple structures in 2019.
Former president PS Prashant’s clarification on allegations
Meanwhile, Prashant on Monday denied the charges against him in the alleged Sabarimala idol gold misappropriation case and claimed that he was 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, “…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 are with me. Reached only on October 9, 2024. Unnikrishnan Potti falsely claimed that Asan was in the executive officer’s office, 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, “I suspect that there has been political interference in making me an accused, possibly under pressure from the present Chief Minister. I myself have no complaint against the SIT. I appeared before the SIT three times and cooperated fully. The previous government never put pressure on the SIT, and K Muraleedharan’s letter also proves the same. We also need to examine whether the Devaswom Minister had the legal right to move such a complaint.” (ANI)
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