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BJP Kerala Chief Demands CBI Take Over Sabarimala Theft Probe on Feb 5

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BJP Leader Calls for Central Investigation Rajeev Chandrasekhar, BJP Kerala chief, held a press conference in Kochi on 5 February 2026, urging Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan to refer the Sabarimala gold‑theft case to the Central Bureau of Investigation, stating that the state’s Special Investigation Team (SIT) is biased and that the CM “should have shame” if he refuses [1]. He accused the SIT, formed under the state government, of lacking independence and suggested that only a central agency could ensure an impartial probe [1]. The demand was framed as a response to perceived political interference in the investigation [1].

Alleged Political Interference in State SIT Chandrasekhar claimed he foresaw a conspiracy to weaken the case as early as 3 October 2023, alleging that the police‑led SIT could not fairly investigate CPI(M) leaders [1]. He described the SIT as a “police‑thief hybrid,” echoing criticism from Sabu M. Jacob, president of the Twenty20 group aligned with the NDA, who also called for removal of politicians from temple administration [1]. Both leaders suggested that the current probe is being sabotaged to protect party interests.

Financial Grievances Highlighted by BJP During the same event, Chandrasekhar contrasted Kerala’s recent fiscal gains—38 % rise in tax devolution and more than a 100 % increase in grants‑in‑aid to ₹26,500 crore—with what he called the state’s neglect of central projects [1]. He accused the state government of derailing a ₹600 crore ESI hospital investment and failing to secure an AIIMS allocation, framing these setbacks as evidence of systemic mismanagement [1]. These financial arguments were used to bolster the call for central oversight of the theft probe.

Broader Development Promises Tied to Investigation Chandrasekhar pledged that the Centre would support Kerala’s proposed high‑speed rail project once the detailed project report is completed, linking the promise to the broader narrative of development and central assistance [1]. He highlighted a recent disruption in the Kerala Assembly, where protests over the Sabarimala theft case underscored heightened political tension [1]. The BJP positioned the CBI takeover as part of a larger agenda to bring federal resources and infrastructure to the state.

Sources

Timeline

Sep 27, 2025 – A rally addressed by TVK chief Vijay in Karur ends in a stampede that kills 41 people, prompting investigations by state authorities and later the CBI [2].

Oct 13, 2025 – The Supreme Court orders the Madras High Court‑appointed SIT and the state enquiry commission to hand over all papers and evidence to the CBI, shifting the lead investigation of the Karur stampede to the central agency [2].

Oct 17, 2025 – A CBI team led by Superintendent Praveen Kumar arrives in Karur and sets up a base camp to begin on‑site investigation of the stampede, marking the agency’s active field work [2].

Nov 25, 2025 – TVK senior officials ‘Bussy’ Anand, campaign manager Aadhav Arjuna and joint general secretary C.T.R. Nirmal Kumar appear before the CBI for questioning, indicating the probe’s focus on party organisers [2].

Dec 2‑4, 2025 – Karur District Collector M. Thangavel is questioned twice by the CBI, first on Dec 2 and again on Dec 4 for over two hours, reflecting scrutiny of administrative decisions surrounding crowd management [2].

Dec 19, 2025 – The Telangana police issue a memorandum forming a Special Investigation Team of senior IPS officers, under Hyderabad City CP V.C. Sajjanar, to probe an alleged phone‑tapping case and to file a charge sheet expeditiously [4].

Dec 23, 2025 – Kerala Congress leader R. Satheesan alleges that the Chief Minister’s Office assigned two IPS officers to pressure the Sabarimala gold‑theft SIT, warning he will reveal their names if interference continues; he adds that the High Court’s intervention has helped move the probe forward and hints at a possible CBI takeover [3].

Dec 25, 2025 – The Supreme Court extends police custody of phone‑tapping suspect Prabhakar Rao until Dec 25, ordering his release on Dec 26, underscoring judicial oversight of the Telangana case [4].

Dec 26, 2025 – Prabhakar Rao is released from police custody as directed by the Supreme Court, concluding the immediate detention phase of the phone‑tapping investigation [4].

Jan 6, 2026 – The CBI issues a notice for TVK chief Vijay to appear in New Delhi on Jan 12 for questioning in the Karur stampede probe, signalling the next stage of central investigation [2].

Jan 12, 2026 – (Planned) Vijay is expected to be questioned by the CBI in New Delhi; officials say the agency will decide on filing a charge sheet after his testimony [2].

Feb 5, 2026 – BJP Kerala chief Rajeev Chandrasekhar urges Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan to hand the Sabarimala theft investigation over to the CBI, accusing the state SIT of bias and calling it “a case of police and thief rolled into one,” and promises central support for a high‑speed rail project once its DPR is ready [1].

Feb 5, 2026 – At the same press conference, Chandrasekhar claims he foresaw a conspiracy to sabotage the Sabarimala case as early as Oct 3 and alleges the state government is neglecting central grants, citing a 38 % rise in tax devolution and a doubling of grants‑in‑aid to ₹26,500 crore [1].

Feb 5, 2026 – Video footage shows the Kerala Legislative Assembly disrupted by protests over the Sabarimala gold‑theft row, highlighting heightened political tension surrounding the investigation [1].

After Jan 12, 2026 – (Anticipated) The CBI may file a charge sheet in the Karur stampede case based on Vijay’s testimony, potentially leading to criminal prosecutions [2].

Future (date TBD) – The BJP signals that the Centre will back Kerala’s high‑speed rail project once the detailed project report is completed, linking it to broader development goals [1].

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