Leaders say SIT probe should take its course

Expressing dissatisfaction with the Kerala High Court-appointed special investigation team at the Sabarimala Ayyappa temple, Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) president Sunny Joseph MLA said even though senior Tantri Kandararu Rajeevaru had been arrested, the SIT had not extended investigation to the higher-ups, including former Devaswom Minister Kadakampally Surendran.

He said Sabarimala devotees and the people of Kerala had the right to know on what basis the former Minister was questioned as well as about the outcome.

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Kummanam Rajasekharan said it was painful and shocking that the senior Tantri was arrested, but he had a responsibility to prove his innocence. He also expressed doubts about the efficacy of the SIT investigation.

He said several questions remain on whether the investigation had extended to the core issue. It had also failed to bring CPI(M) leaders to book, he said.

Left Democratic Front (LDF) convener T.P. Ramakrishnan said the government’s hands were clean. He said that attempts were made to spread falsehoods regarding the gold theft to mislead the people, but the truth would emerge eventually, even if it took time.

Countering Mr. Ramakrishnan, Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala asked as to how three CPI(M) leaders ended up in jail if the government’s hands were clean. Regarding the senior Tantri’s arrest, he said that no one was above the law. “Let the law take its own course,” he said.