Can LoP Satheesan Validate His Claims on the Sabarimala Gold Theft?
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Kadakampally Surendran challenges V.D. Satheesan's allegations.
- Legal proceedings related to the gold theft are ongoing.
- Political tensions are rising in Kerala.
- Both parties are preparing for a court showdown.
- Public opinion remains divided on the issue.
Thiruvananthapuram Dec 17 (NationPress) The political confrontation regarding the Sabarimala gold theft issue intensified on Tuesday when CPI-M legislator and former Devaswom Minister Kadakampally Surendran publicly challenged Kerala's Leader of Opposition V.D. Satheesan to provide proof of the allegations he made against him.
This challenge was issued via a Facebook post, escalating a dispute that has already made its way to the courts.
The controversy began with accusations of the Sabarimala gold theft, where Satheesan claimed that Kadakampally enabled the removal and sale of gold plating from the temple.
Satheesan reiterated these allegations both inside and outside the Assembly, asserting that the gold was taken with the former minister’s knowledge and support.
In response, Kadakampally denied the accusations and filed a case in a Thiruvananthapuram court seeking retraction of statements, a public apology, and damages for harm to his reputation.
Recently, arguments in the case were presented, with media coverage highlighting aspects of the court proceedings.
Following this, Kadakampally’s attorney, advocate Rajagopal, expressed on Facebook that certain information presented in the media was inaccurate.
Kadakampally shared this post on his social media account.
The controversy deepened when Satheesan reiterated his claims, leading Kadakampally to challenge him publicly to substantiate his allegations.
In his post, Kadakampally argued that the claims were unfounded and politically motivated, demanding Satheesan either to legally prove his assertions or retract them.
In reply to the challenge, Satheesan informed reporters that he is prepared to present evidence against Kadakampally in court.
He maintained that he stands by his previous statements and questioned the whereabouts of the gold plating removed from Sabarimala.
Moreover, Satheesan asserted that actions taken by members of the Devaswom Board could not have happened without the knowledge of the minister at the time.
As legal battles continue and political tensions rise, the Sabarimala gold theft case is quickly becoming a pivotal issue in Kerala politics, with both parties indicating that the conflict will now be decisively fought in the courtroom.