Sabarimala Gold Theft Case: Tantri Kandararu Rajeevar Remains in Jail, Bail Hearing on Feb 3; ₹2.5 Crore Deposit Under Probe
Kollam: Tantri Kandararu Rajeevar, who was arrested in connection with the Sabarimala gold theft case, will remain in jail. The Kollam Vigilance Court has postponed the hearing on his bail plea to February 3.
The court has also extended the remand of other accused persons, including Pankaj Bhandari, by another 14 days. Although the tantri argued that he was deliberately framed in the case, the Special Investigation Team informed the court that he had direct involvement in the theft.
Police have found that the tantri had close ties with the first accused, Unnikrishnan Potti, and was part of the conspiracy. The investigation team stated that the tantri was involved in smuggling gold plates on two occasions and had financial dealings with the other accused.
The police have also started the process of examining the thantri’s handwriting. The move is aimed at scientifically proving that the tantri gave permission to hand over the Dwarapalaka sheets in his own handwriting.
Meanwhile, the High Court recently came down heavily on the fact that the accused in the case are getting statutory bail due to delays in filing the charge sheet. The remand of former Devaswom Board president A. Padmakumar has also been extended by another 14 days.
In the Sabarimala gold theft case, the Special Investigation Team is checking the money dealings of Tantri Kandararu Rajeevar. Investigators found that in 2024 he deposited ₹2.5 crore at one time in a private bank. The bank later closed down. Even though he lost the money, Kandhar Rajeevar did not file any complaint.
There are indications that the SIT may take Tantri Kandararu Rajeevar into custody again and question him. The SIT believes that more information will be obtained during the interrogation.