Kerala DGP says SIT probing Sabarimala gold theft case works independently under High Court supervision with no external pressure.
Kerala DGP Ravada Azad Chandrasekhar speaks on SIT’s independent probe into the Sabarimala gold theft case (Photo: File)
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Kerala State Director General of Police Ravada Azad Chandrasekhar on Friday said the Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the Sabarimala gold theft case is functioning independently under the supervision of the Kerala High Court, asserting that there is no pressure on the probe from any quarter.
Speaking to ANI, the DGP said, "SIT is looking into the matter. Whatever evidence emerges, it will be reviewed. SIT is functioning under the supervision of the Kerala High Court. There is no pressure from any corner at all. SIT is functioning freely."
Earlier in the day, former chief priest of the Sabarimala Temple, Kandararu Rajeevaru, was brought in for questioning by the SIT in connection with the case. Meanwhile, in the latest development, former Devaswom Secretary Jayashree appeared before the Special Investigation Team on Thursday as part of the ongoing probe into the Sabarimala gold theft case.
The controversy centres on alleged irregularities in the gold plating work carried out at the Sabarimala temple. The issue stems from a 1998 donation of 30.3 kilograms of gold and 1,900 kilograms of copper by industrialist Vijay Mallya, intended for the cladding of the sanctum sanctorum and the wooden carvings of the Sabarimala Ayyappa temple. On Monday, the Kerala High Court expressed satisfaction over the progress of the investigation and granted the SIT an additional six weeks to complete the probe. A Division Bench comprising Justice Raja Vijayaraghavan V and Justice KV Jayakumar was hearing a suo motu writ petition related to the alleged removal and misappropriation of gold from the gold-clad Dwarapalakas and other structures of the Sabarimala Sreekovil. When the matter came up for hearing, ADGP (Law and Order) H. Venkatesh, who heads the SIT, Investigating Officer S. Sasidharan, IPS, and the Chief Vigilance and Security Officer of the Travancore Devaswom Board appeared before the Court and submitted a detailed status report on the investigation conducted so far.
