Sabari gold heist row rocks House

Thiruvananthapuram: Assembly session resumed after a break amid fresh protests by the opposition, which raised Sabarimala gold heist case in the House. With opposition leader V D Satheesan away on his Puthu Yuga Yatra, senior MLA K Babu initiated the protest.

Opposition cited collective bail granted to the accused in Sabarimala gold theft case and echoed the stance of tanthri, also an accused. Alleging that tanthri was arrested for not supporting violation of temple customs, opposition members boycotted the proceedings. They announced non-cooperation in the House, trooped into the well and raised slogans.


Responding to the protest, law minister P Rajeeve said opposition's criticism was effectively directed against high court. He told Babu that he should consider himself as having got an opportunity to speak. Rajeeve said govt didn't interfere in the special investigation team probe. Whether tanthri was a complainant or an accused was govt's concern, he said. No report has been placed before govt and the investigation is under high court's supervision, he added. Govt has no role in the probe, he said.

Rajeeve alleged that the move was aimed at paving way for a BJP yatra and termed Congress's stand as extremely dangerous for secular Kerala.

Intensifying the protest, opposition members entered the well and raised slogans again. Parliamentary affairs minister M B Rajesh asked what special privilege the tanthri had, and alleged UDF and BJP were taking up the accused's cause. Rajesh described Congress's move as political manoeuvring centred on the tanthri. Meanwhile, treasury benches displayed posters holding up a Sonia Gandhi-Unnikrishnan Potti image in defence. Despite the protests, speaker continued with the Question Hour proceedings. However, other businesses were quickly rushed through, including sending bills to the subject committee for consideration.

In the backdrop of opposition's protests continuing, assembly session is likely to be adjourned on Tuesday. A decision was taken to guillotine the remaining proceedings, it is reliably learned. Nine bills, including the Appropriation Bill, are expected to be passed on Tuesday. Besides two finance bills, the Nativity Card Bill will also be taken up and passed.