Thiruvananthapuram, Jan 20 (NationPress) The political climate in Kerala has escalated significantly on Tuesday as the BJP intensified its efforts concerning the Sabarimala gold theft case. This includes staging protest marches to the homes of two prominent CPI(M) leaders — former Devaswom Minister Kadakampally Surendran in Thiruvananthapuram and current Devaswom Minister V.N. Vasavan in Kottayam.

The protests emerged amid increasing scrutiny over the alleged gold smuggling from the Sabarimala temple, a situation that has prompted parallel investigations by a Special Investigation Team (SIT) and the Enforcement Directorate (ED).

Former Union Minister V. Muraleedharan questioned the lack of arrest for Surendran if the temple’s tantri could be taken into custody as part of the investigation, urging that the case be transferred to the CBI.

He claimed that the SIT was intentionally postponing the charge sheet, allowing the accused individuals to remain unapprehended.

Surendran, who has previously faced questioning from the SIT, is currently under intense political scrutiny from Leader of Opposition V.D. Satheesan, who has consistently targeted the ex-minister since the case came to light.

BJP leaders assert that political accountability must not be selective, demanding a thorough investigation into Surendran's involvement.

Additionally, BJP supporters marched to Minister V.N. Vasavan's office in Kottayam, leading to confrontations with law enforcement.

Law enforcement employed water cannons multiple times to break up protesters attempting to breach barricades, leading to clashes and increasing tensions in the vicinity.

Amidst the political turmoil, K. Jayakumar, President of the Travancore Devaswom Board, stated the Board would fully cooperate with the ED's investigation, emphasizing its commitment to uncovering the truth.

He characterized the irregularities at Sabarimala as a “systemic failure” and mentioned that corrective actions are being implemented to prevent future lapses.

Jayakumar refrained from commenting on the specifics of the case due to court orders but underscored the necessity for enhanced transparency to rebuild devotees’ trust in the Board.

Meanwhile, the SIT has ramped up its investigation, with specialized teams arriving at the temple for comprehensive examinations.

While Vasavan publicly endorsed the SIT investigation — which has previously received praise from the High Court — he expressed skepticism regarding the ED's participation, referring to past experiences that, according to him, raised doubts about the agency’s integrity.

As investigations evolve on several fronts, this case continues to fuel a critical political struggle with significant implications for governance and accountability in Kerala.