Kerala police books minister Suresh Gopi for allegedly misusing ambulance to reach Thrissur Pooram festival

NEW DELHI: Kerala police have registered an FIR against Union minister Suresh Gopi for allegedly using an ambulance to reach the Thrissur Pooram festival. The FIR was filed based on the complaint from CPI district leader Sumesh KP.

The police said Gopi violated rules by traveling in an ambulance, which is intended only for transporting patients. The case was registered under sections 279 of the IPC and 179, 288, 192 of the Motor Vehicle Act.

This incident occurred amid allegations that the Thrissur Pooram festival was intentionally disrupted to benefit Gopi, who was a BJP candidate from the Thrissur Lok Sabha constituency at the time. The Congress-led UDF opposition claimed police interference in the festival rituals caused the disruption.

Kerala Police are currently investigating the Pooram disruption allegations. Gopi has called for a CBI probe into the incident. He stated, “This Pooram disruption is going to be a boomerang. Unlike Surendran's (BJP state president) claim, I did not arrive at the scene in an ambulance. I arrived in a private car, the district president's personal vehicle. If someone claims they saw me in an ambulance, they need to clarify whether it was a real sight or an illusion. To find the truth, Kerala's police under Pinarayi will not suffice; a CBI investigation is necessary. I am prepared to face it. They should call in the CBI. Many, including former and current ministers in Kerala, fear being questioned."

Later, Gopi retracted his statement, saying that he was forced to travel in the ambulance after his car was attacked, resulting in injuries to his legs.
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