Will SIT Question UDF Convener Adoor Prakash in Sabarimala Gold Theft Inquiry?
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- SIT summons Adoor Prakash for questioning.
- Investigation focuses on political connections to the theft.
- Ten individuals, including CPI-M leaders, are already in custody.
- Potential for further summons as inquiry progresses.
- Investigation aims to uncover a larger conspiracy.
Thiruvananthapuram, Dec 31 (NationPress) The Special Investigation Team (SIT) intensifying its inquiry into the Sabarimala gold theft case is set to summon UDF convener and Congress MP Adoor Prakash for a statement.
Prakash is being called upon to clarify his purported involvement with the main suspect in this case, Unnikrishnan Potti.
Investigators are aiming to gain a deeper understanding of their connection, particularly regarding a trip to Delhi taken by Prakash alongside Potti.
The SIT is currently engaged in gathering and validating details related to this trip and other associated interactions.
In response to media inquiries about his appearance date before the SIT, a visibly frustrated Prakash remarked, "I am not aware of any such notice; perhaps you (the media) received the notice, but I have yet to see anything." He then left in his vehicle.
Images of Potti alongside Congress Parliamentary Party Chairperson Sonia Gandhi circulated on social media, aiming to challenge the narrative of Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan being photographed with Potti.
This latest development coincides with the day Potti and two additional suspects were transferred to the investigation team for questioning.
The SIT intends to validate Potti's statements against those made by senior CPI-M legislator and former Devaswom Minister Kadakampally Surendran.
Surendran's testimony has been recorded, and the SIT is now looking for corroboration from Potti regarding the issues raised.
The interrogation of both the ex-minister and a senior Congress figure occurs amid claims that they have maintained significant connections with the main suspect.
Investigators state that the primary objective of the inquiry is to expose the broader conspiracy surrounding the theft of gold plates associated with Sabarimala.
As part of this investigation, the SIT is assessing whether individuals with substantial political or institutional connections facilitated or protected those involved in the crime.
The investigation team has indicated that additional questioning and summonses may follow as the inquiry advances, depending on the evidence and statements collected in the days to come.
Since the investigation's initiation, a total of ten individuals, including three prominent CPI-M leaders, have been incarcerated.