Thiruvananthapuram: Union Minister Suresh Gopi has come under the scanner of the Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the Thrissur Pooram unrest, one of Kerala’s most iconic temple festivals. The SIT, led by Crime Branch Chief H. Venkitesh, is investigating whether a political conspiracy was behind the chaos.
Suresh Gopi, who was the first political leader to reach the site, told investigators that he was informed by BJP workers and rushed to the scene due to the urgency of the situation. He was the BJP candidate for the Thrissur Lok Sabha seat at the time and arrived in a Sevabharathi ambulance, drawing attention and criticism.
The presence of the minister despite police barricades raised eyebrows, with CPI leader and rival candidate V. S. Sunil Kumar accusing the Sangh Parivar of orchestrating the unrest to boost Gopi’s poll prospects. Sunil Kumar is said to have shared these suspicions with the SIT earlier.
According to officials, two phases of the probe have already been completed. The current and final phase focuses on the alleged conspiracy, which investigators believe may have played a key role in the temple festival disruption.
