Thiruvananthapuram/New Delhi, February 19 Kerala BJP president Rajeev Chandrasekhar said on Thursday that the alleged misappropriation of gold from Sabarimala should be investigated by the CBI, as it was a multi-jurisdictional crime and the SIT has allegedly been unable to make any progress in the case so far.
Chandrasekhar said that he had previously requested Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan to seek a CBI investigation, but the Marxist veteran did not do so.
"I respectfully request the CM to seek a CBI investigation into this matter, so that those responsible for the misappropriation can be apprehended and punished," the BJP leader said while speaking to reporters in Delhi.
Chandrasekhar argued that if the CM genuinely wants to find out who was behind the alleged misappropriation of gold from the Lord Ayyappa shrine, he should seek a CBI investigation.
"The government has not been able to identify who is responsible for the loss of gold from the shrine. The SIT has found nothing. This is a multi-jurisdictional crime involving the states of Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Karnataka. The CBI is the most competent agency to investigate it," he asserted.
The BJP leader also claimed that the vigilance court, while granting bail to Sabarimala tantri (chief priest) Kandararu Rajeevaru, on Wednesday said that there was no prima facie evidence against him.
"Therefore, it is the responsibility of the CM to find those responsible for the gold loss," Chandrasekhar said.
A Special Investigation Team (SIT) appointed by the Kerala High Court is investigating the alleged misappropriation of gold from the Dwarapalaka (guardian deity) idols and the door frames of the Sreekovil (sanctum sanctorum) at Sabarimala.
