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Thiruvananthapuram, Nov 11 (IANS) Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) working president and MLA PC Vishnunath on Tuesday demanded that the man alleged to be “Subhash Kapoor” be identified in the Sabarimala gold heist case.
Vishnunath said the Kerala High Court had seen similarities between the Sabarimala theft and the operations of notorious international temple art smuggler Subhash Kapoor.
“Therefore it is important to find out who is the Subhash Kapoor of Sabarimala,” he said.
He alleged that the investigation has so far reached only a few officials, while Devaswom Board Chairman K. The larger organized network linked to Jayakumar, members and minister VN Vasavan remains untouched.
Incidentally, soon after Vishnunath’s media briefing ended, news came that former Devaswom Board Commissioner and Chairman N. Vasu has been arrested by the Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the Sabarimala gold heist.
The Congress, which has launched a sustained attack against the Pinarayi Vijayan-led state government for trying to protect those with political connections, is organizing a massive protest in front of the state secretariat on Wednesday demanding the arrest of all accused in the Sabarimala gold theft and the resignation of current Devaswom minister Vasavan.
Vishnunath said the High Court judgment clearly indicated the involvement of the Devaswom Board, whose tenure ended on Monday, and Minister Vasavan.
He was inaugurated by Thiruvabharanam Commissioner KS Baiju on September 3, 2024, along with Devaswom Secretary K. Jayakumar, citing damage to the ‘Dwarpalak’ (gate guardian) idols and requesting immediate repairs before the pilgrimage season.
Although a plan was drawn up, no repair work was carried out before the season began, proving that the “emergency” was fabricated.
Again this year, the outgoing Devaswom Board created an emergency situation and sent the sacred idols for repairs, fully knowing that there is a clear court prohibition against removing sacred artefacts from the temple premises.
Vishnunath said the State Devaswom Board had enough time between January and November 2025 to carry out the necessary repairs within the ‘Sannidhanam’.
“Despite knowing the court’s directions, the board acted in violation of them,” he alleged.
Vishnunath alleged, “The Devaswom board and ministers of that period were directly involved in the loot of gold.”
The protest will be led by all top Congress leaders including AICC general secretary KC Venugopal, KPCC president Sunny Joseph, leader of opposition VD Satheesan, AICC leaders Deepa Das Munshi, Ramesh Chennithala, Kodikunnil Suresh and UDF convenor Adoor Prakash.
–IANS
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