Ayyappa Seva Samajam has expressed dissatisfaction with the ongoing Special Investigation Team (SIT) probe into the Sabarimala gold loot case and has demanded a CBI investigation, citing concerns over the impartiality and effectiveness of the inquiry.
Addressing a press conference in Thiruvananthapuram on June 12, chairman Murugan R. Selvan said devotees were worried about the progress of the case and sought a transparent investigation into the misappropriation of temple gold.
The chairman said the entire devotees are worried about the gold loot at Sabarimala. They are concerned about the present SIT enquiry. The accused have done dealings not only in Kerala but also in four other states. The arrested ones are now free birds. The erstwhile state government headed by Pinarayi Vijayan did not take necessary and proper action.
He criticised the present Congress government for taking the stand that it can neither interfere nor recommend a CBI enquiry since the enquiry is going on under the surveillance of the High Court.
In the meantime, the report states that Adv. K.B. Pradeep, who previously represented Chennai-based Smart Creations in the Sabarimala gold heist case, has been appointed as a Special Government Pleader for the Devaswom Department in the Kerala High Court. It sounds quite strange! A lawyer of the opposition party is appointed for the petitioner.
It is believed that the appointment could give rise to concerns about a potential conflict of interest. Under such circumstances, even ordinary devotees may question the intentions of the V.D. Satheeshan government.
Consequently, a common devotee may feel that the Keralam CM V.D. Satheeshan is not acting any differently from the previous Pinarayi Vijayan government in matters affecting the sentiments of Ayyappa devotees.
If Smart Creations’ lawyer is going to represent the Devaswom in the Sabarimala gold loot-related case, how can the devotees expect justice?
Smart Creations is the electroplating firm entrusted with the gold-plating of the temple’s Dwarapalaka idols and door frames. Investigators allege that original, high-value gold was stripped from the temple artefacts and replaced with a much thinner, cheaper layer. The CEO of Smart Creations is a key accused in the Special Investigation Team (SIT) case.
