Thu Jan 01 15:51:10 UTC 2026: Here’s a summary and rewrite of the provided text as a news article:
Summary:
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has denied allegations of interference by his office in the Special Investigation Team (SIT) probe into the Sabarimala temple gold theft case. He defended the SIT’s progress and dismissed the need for a CBI investigation. Vijayan countered claims made by UDF convener Adoor Prakash MP, shifting the focus to Prakash’s association with the prime accused and their access to Sonia Gandhi. Prakash has also addressed the media saying he was not summoned, but ready to answer questions. Meanwhile, Congress leaders are questioning the SIT’s credibility, alleging government influence and a lack of progress in catching the key players.
News Article:
Kerala CM Denies Interference in Sabarimala Gold Theft Probe, Questions Opposition Ties
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, January 1, 2026 (The Hindu e-Paper) – Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan vehemently denied allegations of interference from his office in the ongoing Special Investigation Team (SIT) probe into the high-profile gold theft case linked to the Sabarimala Ayyappa temple. Speaking at a press conference on Thursday, Vijayan refuted claims made by United Democratic Front (UDF) convener Adoor Prakash MP, dismissing them as attempts to deflect attention from Prakash’s own associations with individuals connected to the case.
“It is common knowledge that the SIT probe is monitored by the High Court,” Vijayan stated, rejecting calls for a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) inquiry at this stage. He maintained that the SIT investigation was progressing smoothly, with no prior complaints raised against its conduct.
The Chief Minister directly challenged Prakash’s account, questioning how the prime accused, Unnikrishnan Potti, and a Bellary-based jeweller, Govardhan, gained access to high-security leader Sonia Gandhi. “How did these two individuals gain access to a high-security leader like Sonia Gandhi? Isn’t that the real issue here? Who was responsible for it. That should be cleared up first,” Vijayan pressed. He further questioned Prakash’s decision to accept an invitation from Potti, implying questionable judgment on the MP’s part.
Addressing reports of the SIT questioning Communist Party of India (Marxist) leader and former Devaswom Minister Kadakampally Surendran, Vijayan explained that the SIT may need to contact many people in order to properly solve this case.
Prakash responded to the accusations by stating that he has not been summoned for questioning but is ready to talk about the matter to media if he needs to.
Meanwhile, leaders from the All India Congress Committee (AICC) and the Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) have voiced concerns about the SIT’s independence and effectiveness. AICC general secretary K.C. Venugopal questioned the probe’s credibility, alleging that the government is influencing the limits of the investigation. KPCC president Sunny Joseph criticized the SIT’s pace and accused it of failing to target the “big sharks” involved in the theft. He cited a High Court observation suggesting the investigation was lacking momentum.
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