Kerala High Court Issues Notice to Tantri Kandararu Rajeevaru in Sabarimala Gold Theft Case

Kochi: The Kerala High Court has issued a notice to Tantri Kandararu Rajeevaru in connection with the Sabarimala gold theft case. The action comes in response to an appeal filed by the Special Investigation Team (SIT) seeking cancellation of his bail. The High Court has also stayed the observations made by the Kollam Vigilance Court that there was no evidence against the tantri.

The SIT informed the court that forensic analysis had uncovered voice messages indicating a close association between the tantri and the first accused, Unnikrishnan Potti. It was also pointed out as suspicious that the tantri signed a mahazar describing the temple door plates as copper, despite being aware that they were gold-plated.

According to the investigation, the tantri permitted the removal of the gold-plated sheets from the sanctum, despite rules prohibiting such action. The SIT further revealed that a crucial piece of evidence—the accused’s application and the tantri’s approval letter—were prepared in the same Word file on the system of the Sabarimala Executive Officer.

These findings suggest a well-planned conspiracy behind the gold theft. Forensic examination of the tantri’s mobile phone reportedly uncovered material that violates Devaswom regulations and is inconsistent with the responsibilities of his position. The SIT also argued in court that the contents of the phone were contrary even to the basic expectation that the tantri should be a devout individual.

Earlier, the Kollam Vigilance Court had granted bail to the tantri, observing that there was no prima facie evidence of conspiracy. Challenging this finding as erroneous and detrimental to the investigation, the SIT approached the High Court. The case will now come up for detailed consideration before the High Court.