Kerala govt trying to paralyse SIT probe in Sabarimala gold loss cases: Congress
Kochi/Kannur (PTI): Congress General Secretary K C Venugopal on Saturday alleged that the Kerala government was exerting pressure on the SIT probing the loss of gold from Sabarimala in an attempt to "paralyse" the investigation.
Venugopal, speaking to reporters at Kochi, further alleged that the government was trying to prevent any further progress in the probe by the Special Investigation Team (SIT).
On being asked by reporters about photographs of UDF convener Adoor Prakash meeting Unnikrishnan Potty, the prime accused in the Sabarimala gold loss cases, the Congress MP from Alappuzha said that there were photos of the CM with the same person.
"Congress is not investigating the cases. The police under Pinarayi Vijayan are. So, when examining photographs, they can examine the CM's photo with him as well.
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"Anyways, our strong and clear stand is that those who stole Lord Ayyappa's gold will not be spared by the Deity or the people of Kerala. God is watching everything," he said.
Meanwhile, Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) president Sunny Joseph alleged that the SIT was not looking into the aspect of recovering the lost gold as directed by the Kerala High Court recently.
He also alleged that the CPI(M) was continuing to protect its leaders involved in the gold loss cases and said that protests will be held against that on January 27 at the state secretariat and all District Collectorates, demanding a proper probe in the matter.
Regarding Prakash's meeting with Potty, Joseph said that the UDF convener was never in a position to help those behind the alleged misappropriation of gold from the Lord Ayyappa shrine.
There is nothing wrong with Prakash taking a photo with Potty, he told reporters in Kannur.
The KPCC chief further said that the SIT has not questioned Prakash, like it did former Devaswom Minister Kadakampally Surendran, as there was nothing to be found against him.
The Sabarimala gold loss cases pertain to the alleged misappropriation of gold from the Dwarapalaka (guardian deity) idols and the Sreekovil (sanctum sanctorum) door frames at the temple.
The SIT probing the matter has so far arrested 12 individuals, including Potty and two former presidents of the TDB.
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Cristiano Ronaldo scores his 100th Saudi Pro League goal
Riyadh (AP): Cristiano Ronaldo scored his 100th Saudi Pro League goal as Al-Nassr beat Al-Shabab 4-2 to move five points clear at the top of the table.
The 41-year-old forward converted a Sadio Mané cross at the near post with 15 minutes remaining to record the 971st goal of his career on Thursday. It was also his 26th league goal of the season.
“Ronaldo is always dangerous going forward and we saw that again today,” Al-Nassr coach Jorge Jesus said.
João Félix, signed from Chelsea in July, scored three goals for the league leaders.
The win took Al-Nassr to 82 points from 32 games, five ahead of Al-Hilal, which has three matches, one more than Nassr, left to play. Al-Hilal meets Al-Kholood on Friday and faces Nassr on Tuesday in what could be a title decider against its Riyadh rival.
“Now we have a derby match against our rival, which is a difficult encounter,” Jesus said.
“We are fully aware of its importance, and we are dealing with it with complete focus as we know that small details could decide the result.”
Ronaldo, a five-time Ballon d'Or winner, has yet to secure a major trophy in Saudi Arabia since signing with Al-Nassr in December 2022.
