Thiruvananthapuram: The Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the Sabarimala gold scam questioned United Democratic Front (UDF) convener Adoor Prakash on Saturday in connection with his alleged links to prime accused Unnikrishnan Potty. Prakash was questioned at the Crime Branch headquarters following a notice served ahead of the interrogation. The SIT will also question Potty, who was released on statutory bail, to corroborate Prakash’s statements. 

"I'm not connected to Potty's meeting with Sonia Gandhi in any way. He had called me after getting an appointment with her. I merely accompanied him for the meeting," Prakash said after the questioning. He added that if they were questioning people based on photographs with Potty, they would also need to call the Chief Minister of Kerala.

While the Congress leader has admitted to meeting Potty on a few occasions after photographs of the duo surfaced, he had dismissed allegations linking him to the case. Prakash said the controversy was being raised at a time when a political climate favourable to the UDF was emerging in Kerala.

He said he first met Potty in 2019, after being elected MP from Attingal, and that he attended an annadhanam at Sabarimala on Potty’s invitation. Prakash said he later visited Potty’s house following the death of Potty’s father and also visited the house of Potty’s sister at Venjaramoodu along with KPCC leader Remani Nair, though he could not recall the specific purpose of the visit.

Prakash maintained that his interactions with Potty were limited to 2019 and that he was unaware of Potty’s background at the time. He also said Potty had once given him a packet during a visit to Bengaluru, which he later handed over to someone else. Prakash also confirmed he was present when Potty met Congress leader Sonia Gandhi, but denied facilitating the meeting.

Meanwhile, AICC leader and Congress MP K C Venugopal told the media that the SIT was free to interrogate anyone and that the law should take its course. "The people of Kerala know who stole the gold from Sabarimala and who are protecting them. When these facts come out, attempts are being made to escape the shame," he said.

The SIT, constituted following the directions of the Kerala High Court, is probing two cases related to gold lost from the Dwarapalaka (guardian deity) idols and doorframes of the sreekovil (sanctum sanctorum) at the hill shrine, and has so far arrested 12 persons, including two former Travancore Devaswom Board presidents associated with the CPM.