Thantri Kandhar Rajeevaru Shifted to Hospital After Health Complaint

Thiruvananthapuram: Thantri Kandhar Rajeevaru, who was remanded to custody in the Sabarimala gold theft case, was shifted to hospital on Saturday after he complained of health issues, jail authorities said. The jail superintendent said Rajeevaru experienced discomfort in the morning, following which he was taken to the General Hospital in Thiruvananthapuram.

Rajeevaru was remanded to judicial custody for 14 days by the Kollam Vigilance Court on Friday. His arrest came after nearly eight hours of questioning earlier on Friday. The case relates to the theft of gold from the door frames of the Sreekovil at Sabarimala. He is the thirteenth accused in the case.

nvestigators had earlier received crucial information indicating that the thantri had facilitated the prime accused Unnikrishnan Potty and his associates in carrying out the theft. However, the Special Investigation Team proceeded with the arrest only after collecting sufficient evidence and placing the material before the High Court. The High Court had earlier observed that the investigation into the Sabarimala gold theft case was scientific and impartial.

Following Rajeevaru’s arrest, investigators said leads beyond the gold theft, including suspected financial transactions, are also being examined. One key issue under scrutiny is the removal of the Vajivahanam from the old kodimaram (flagstaff). According to established custom, when a new flagstaff is installed, the old one is to be consigned to fire and the metal figures on it melted down. However, the Vajivahanam—a horse figure believed to be gold-plated—was taken by Rajeevaru to his residence, the Thazhamon Mutt. Rajeevaru had claimed that he had a rightful claim over the object.