BJP MLAs Call for Withdrawal of Sabarimala Cases and CBI Probe into Gold Theft

The BJP MLAs in Kerala on Tuesday urged the state government to withdraw all cases registered against devotees in connection with the Sabarimala protests and to order a CBI probe into the alleged gold theft case at the hill shrine.

In a letter to Chief Minister V D Satheesan, BJP MLAs Rajeev Chandrasekhar, V Muraleedharan, and B B Gopakumar said thousands of cases filed during the Sabarimala women's entry agitation should be withdrawn, describing them as ''unjustified''.

Muraleedharan said there had been no announcement on the demand for a CBI investigation even after two Cabinet meetings since the CM assumed office.

He noted that when Satheesan was Leader of the Opposition, he had sought a CBI probe into the matter.

According to the MLAs, 2,624 cases were registered in connection with the Sabarimala protests, involving 29,119 accused persons.

They also said the government was considering withdrawing 1,047 minor cases.

The BJP leaders alleged that the classification of cases as ''serious'' and ''non-serious'' was unfair and carried out under the influence of the previous Left administration.

They said devotees who took part in the protests to protect centuries-old traditions were being dragged into prolonged legal battles despite having no criminal antecedents.

The MLAs demanded that all cases linked to the agitation be withdrawn without distinction.

The Sabarimala women's entry protests were a series of demonstrations in Kerala following the 2018 Supreme Court verdict allowing women of menstruating age to enter the Sabarimala temple.

Many devotees and Hindu groups took to the streets opposing the ruling, arguing that it violated centuries-old temple customs and traditions associated with Lord Ayyappa worship.

On the gold theft case linked to Sabarimala, the MLAs renewed their demand for a CBI probe, saying only a central agency investigation could ensure a fair and thorough inquiry.

They also sought a wider probe into former Devaswom Board officials, former ministers and others allegedly linked to the case.

The MLAs further said allegations involving key accused Unnikrishnan Potty, including alleged links with political leaders and international connections referred to by the High Court, should also be investigated.

The Sabarimala gold case relates to allegations of large-scale irregularities and theft involving gold and other valuable offerings made by devotees at the hill shrine.

The allegations led to demands for a detailed investigation into the handling of temple assets by officials of the Travancore Devaswom Board and others linked to the temple administration.

The MLAs urged the government to act immediately on both demands-withdrawal of protest-related cases and a CBI probe into the gold theft allegations.

(With inputs from agencies.)