Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Thursday denied any interference by his office in the probe by the special investigation team (SIT) in the gold theft case linked to the Sabarimala Ayyappa temple.
Countering United Democratic Front convener Adoor Prakash MP’s insinuation against Mr. Vijayan’s political secretary, Mr. Vijayan, at a press conference here, said it was common knowledge that the SIT probe was monitored by the High Court. He also ruled out the need for a Central Bureau of Investigation probe at this stage. It was generally accepted that the SIT investigation was progressing smoothly. So far, no complaints had been levelled against it, he said.
Mr. Prakash’s allegation against the CMO was provoked by an inability to answer certain other questions, the Chief Minister said. It was meant to divert attention from the real issue — as to how the prime accused in the case had gained access to a high-profile leader such as Sonia Gandhi.
Mr. Prakash’s name had cropped up in connection with this case after a photograph showing prime accused Unnikrishnan Potti and the Bellary-based jeweller Govardhan with Ms. Gandhi surfaced. “How did these two individuals gain access to a high-security leader like Sonia Gandhi?” Mr. Vijayan said. “Isn’t that the real issue here? Who was responsible for it. That should be cleared up first,” he said.
