The statement of Kadakampally was recorded on the basis of a statement of former TDB president A Padmakumar. Confirming the interrogation, Kadakampally said he was asked certain questions and he told them what he knew.
File Photo: IANS
In a crucial move in the Sabarimala gold heist probe, the Special Investigation Team (SIT), investigating the case, has recorded the statements of former devaswom minister Kadakampally Surendran on Saturday and former Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) president PS Prasanth.
The statement of Kadakampally was recorded on the basis of a statement of former TDB president A Padmakumar. Confirming the interrogation, Kadakampally said he was asked certain questions and he told them what he knew.
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Sources said Kadakampally was asked about the sanction given by the TDB to strip gold-plated sheets from Sabarimala artefacts and transport them to Smart Creations Chennai for electroplating. Kadakampally said that the Devaswom Department only handled policy matters of the temple and the decision to strip off gold-plated sheets was taken independently by the TDB. He is reckoned to have known the prime accused Unnikrishnan Potty but only as a sponsor.
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Meanwhile, Congress leader K Muraleedharan criticized the SIT for conducting the interrogation in a secret manner. “Why were Kadakampally and Prashanth interrogated secretly, ” he asked, pointing out that the statements of others, including A Padmakumar, were taken by the SIT by summoning them.
Alleging that by doing so the SIT has been trying to hide many things, Muraleedharan demanded that its moves should be more transparent.
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