'Withdraw Sabarimala cases, CBI should investigate Sabarimala gold theft case,' BJP MLAs write to Chief Minister

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: BJP MLAs in Kerala have written to the Chief Minister demanding a CBI investigation into the alleged Sabarimala gold theft case. They have also asked the state government to withdraw all cases filed against devotees during the Sabarimala protest movement.

V Muraleedharan MLA alleged that although V D Satheesan had earlier demanded a CBI investigation into the Sabarimala gold theft case while serving as the Opposition Leader, no announcement regarding the probe has been made even after two cabinet meetings since he assumed office as Chief Minister. Muraleedharan added that BJP leaders have also urged the government to immediately withdraw all cases filed against those who participated in protests aimed at protecting Sabarimala traditions and rituals.

According to BJP leaders, 29,119 people have been named as accused in 2,624 cases linked to the Sabarimala women’s entry issue in Kerala. The state government is currently considering the withdrawal of 1,047 cases classified as “non-serious.” However, BJP MLAs argued that the distinction between “serious” and “non-serious” cases was made by the police in line with the interests of the previous government. They claimed that such a classification is unfair and goes against the interests of devotees who took part in the protests.

The BJP leaders stated that if justice is to be delivered to the faith community, the government must unconditionally withdraw all the cases. Otherwise, people will realise that the promises made by the Congress party over the past eight years were false. The letter to the Chief Minister was signed by BJP MLAs Rajeev Chandrasekhar, V Muraleedharan and B B Gopakumar.