Person Meant to Protect Temple Became Part of Conspiracy, Says Tantri Kandararu Rajeevaru's Remand Report

Thiruvananthapuram: The remand report of Tantri Kandararu Rajeevaru, who holds the traditional Tantric rights of the Sabarimala temple, states that he was the Tantri during both the 1998–1999 incident involving liquor baron Vijay Mallya’s gold offering and the alleged looting of gold-plated panels in 2019. The report notes that the Tantri, who is duty-bound to protect the sanctity and spiritual value of the temple, abetted violations of temple rituals and customs.

According to the report, gold-plated panels bearing Dashavatara engravings on the sanctum doorway, panels from the upper steps, and gold-plated panels depicting 'Shiva' and 'Vyali' figures were removed and handed over to the chief priest (Potti) as per a Devaswom Board order dated March 20, 2019. Mandatory Tantric procedures were not followed during this process.

The report further states that the Tantri did not inform the Devaswom Board about these ritual violations, nor did he prevent the handing over of the gold panels to the Potti. When the temple was opened for Mithunam month poojas on June 15, 2019, the Tantri was fully aware that the panels and the sanctum door frame had not been returned, despite being present at the Sannidhanam at the time.

Even when the door frame and the Prabhamandalam were brought back and reinstalled on June 18, 2019, the Tantri was present, the report says. As per the Devaswom Manual, repairs of valuable temple assets must be carried out within the temple premises and should not be taken outside.

The Special Investigation Team (SIT) also found that the gold-plated door panels were sent to Smart Creations in Chennai, and that Kandararu Rajeevaru was also serving as the Tantri at temples in Bengaluru where these panels were reportedly kept for rituals.

The SIT summoned Kandararu Rajeevaru on Friday for further questioning, stating that more information was required. The interrogation took place at the Attingal Guest House. Following which, he was arrested and has been remanded for 14 days. Since the Tantri receives a salary from the Devaswom Board, offences under the Prevention of Corruption Act are also applicable, the report added.