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Thiruvananthapuram: The investigation into the Sabarimala gold theft case is gaining momentum, as the Special Investigation Team (SIT) is reportedly preparing to detain more people in the coming days.
With key accused Unnikrishnan Potti already in custody and nine others named in the First Information Report, political and legal shockwaves are being felt across the state.
The SIT has filed two separate FIRs naming ten accused.
While Potti, listed as accused number 1, continues to be interrogated, the remaining accused are reportedly facing increasing anxiety over possible arrest.
Sources say investigators are preparing for the next phase of action, which is likely to lead to more detentions in the coming days, and this could land the Pinarayi Vijayan government in trouble.
This legal increase is taking place against an increasingly unstable political backdrop.
Both the Indian National Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party have stepped up demands for the resignation of board members of the Travancore Devaswom Board as well as Devaswom Minister and CPI(M) leader VN Vasavan.
The Vijayan government has faced criticism for alleged misuse of temple gold and offerings.
Adding to the pressure, the BJP state leadership is “lobbying” its national leadership to get a probe done by the central agency.
Such a move, if implemented, could deepen the crisis for the ruling front and extend the scope of the investigation beyond the existing accused.
With local body elections round the corner, the opposition sees an opportunity to turn the “scam” into a political flashpoint.
The coming weeks could determine whether the fallout will be limited to the accused alone or spread deep into the state’s power structure.
Recently, the Kerala High Court gave six weeks time to complete the investigation and submit the findings in a sealed cover.
Last week, the Kerala High Court had urged the media to exercise caution and avoid sensationalizing the gold controversy.
–IANS