Published Feb 03, 2026 | 12:28 PM ⚊ Updated Feb 03, 2026 | 12:28 PM
MLAs, including Anwar Sadat, tried to mount the Speaker's dais.
Synopsis: Unruly scenes were witnessed in the Kerala Legislative Assembly following protests by the Opposition, which alleged that the investigation into the Sabarimala gold robbery case was being deliberately sabotaged. VD Satheesan alleged that the Chief Minister’s Office was interfering in the investigation. The chief minister said the SIT investigation is proceeding under the supervision of a High Court Division Bench and that the court has addressed all allegations against the SIT.
Unruly scenes were witnessed in the Kerala Legislative Assembly on Tuesday, 3 February, following protests by the Opposition, which alleged that the investigation into the Sabarimala gold robbery case was being deliberately sabotaged.
Amid sloganeering and chaos, UDF MLAs attempted to jump onto the Speaker’s dais, forcing Speaker AN Shamseer to leave his seat. Watch-and-ward staff prevented the MLAs, including Anwar Sadat, from mounting the dais, and the House was later adjourned.
The Opposition accused the government of not cooperating with Assembly proceedings and claimed that the Special Investigation Team (SIT) probe into the gold robbery was being stalled.
Leader of Opposition VD Satheesan alleged that the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) was interfering in the investigation, leading to delays and enabling the accused to secure “natural bail.”
He said that one of the accused, Unnikrishnan Potty, was also set to be released soon, and accused the government of shaping the SIT probe under pressure from the CMO.
Satheesan announced that the Opposition would not cooperate with the House proceedings and would intensify its protest both inside and outside the Assembly until there was clarity on the investigation.
Later, Satheesan said the Opposition protested democratically and that it was the staff who forcibly took away the banner raised by them. He claimed that UDF MLAs were provoked into climbing the dais by the actions of the watch and ward.
However, Speaker Shamseer responded that the banner was blocking his view, adding that, just like the Opposition members, the Speaker also has the constitutional right to participate in Assembly debates.
“The Speaker, too, has democratic rights. Is it right to cover the Speaker’s face and treat him like a blind person?” he asked.
Responding to the allegations, Parliamentary Affairs Minister MB Rajesh accused the Opposition of insulting democratic institutions through such actions. He said the Opposition was creating chaos due to a lack of issues and was venting its frustration after suffering setbacks in court.
Rajesh claimed that recent high court observations, including the “sprinkler” case, had gone against the Opposition, prompting it to resort to disruptive protests inside the Assembly.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan accused Opposition members of assaulting watch and ward staff inside the House. The chief minister alleged that a person holding a banner beat watch and ward personnel with a stick, an incident he said went unnoticed by the Speaker.
“We were all watching it. The watch and ward tried to stop and catch the person only after this happened. These incidents are occurring without any provocation. The Opposition is deliberately trying to create trouble,” the chief minister said, adding that such anger has no place in a democratic Assembly and should be condemned by the House.
Responding to the allegations raised by the Opposition, the chief minister said the SIT investigation is proceeding under the supervision of a High Court Division Bench and that the court has addressed all allegations against the SIT.
He clarified that the government does not interfere in investigations and said earlier observations were made by a single bench.
The Opposition boycotted the Assembly without waiting for the chief minister’s reply.
(Edited by Muhammed Fazil with inputs from Dileep V Kumar.)
