Probe team records Gopi's statement
Suresh Gopi
gave his statement to the special team probing the alleged sabotage of Thrissur Pooram. The statement was recorded in Thiruvananthapuram last week by a team led by city police commissioner and DIG Thomson Jose, who heads the conspiracy probe under the govt-declared three-tier investigation into the incident.
It is learnt that according to his statement, Gopi claimed that he reached the venue after being alerted by BJP workers about the disruption at the Pooram. The team is expected to submit its report to the ADGP later this month.
The controversy broke out after Gopi, BJP's Lok Sabha candidate from Thrissur, arrived at the venue in an ambulance following the unexpected disruption of Pooram festivities. Allegations soon emerged that the event was deliberately derailed to create a sympathy wave in Gopi's favour.
Though visuals surfaced showing Gopi stepping out of the ambulance, he initially denied arriving in it, making his current statement crucial for the investigation.
The conspiracy angle is now in its final phase of inquiry. Police sources said the Gopi's version that he was informed by party workers and rushed to the spot will be examined for contradictions with other witness accounts. If inconsistencies arise, his statement may be recorded again.
by Taboola
by Taboola
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The special team under the crime branch, which reports to the ADGP, is tasked with examining whether the Pooram disruption was part of a political conspiracy.
A preliminary report by ADGP M R Ajith Kumar earlier flagged suspicions that Thiruvambady devaswom officials attempted to influence the event in favour of the BJP candidate. This report prompted the state govt to announce a three-tier probe.
Earlier, a report by the state police chief pointed to lapses on the part of the ADGP who led the initial probe.
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