ED Issues Summons to Tantri Kandararu Rajeevar; SIT Moves to Cancel Bail
In the Sabarimala gold theft case, the Tantri has now come under the scrutiny of the Enforcement Directorate (ED). The ED has issued a summons to Tantri Kandararu Rajeevar, directing him to appear for questioning in the first week of March. A summons has also been sent to former Devaswom Board President N. Vasu.
The court granted a clean chit to the Tantri regarding deposits worth ₹2 crore. The court dismissed allegations of irregularities in the financial investments made by Kandararu Rajeevar and rejected the Special Investigation Team’s (SIT) claim of suspicious financial transactions. The court observed that income under the Dakshina category was natural and also rejected the allegation of Connection between the Tantri and the accused Potti.
Meanwhile, the SIT is continuing its pursuit against Tantri Kandararu Rajeevar in the Sabarimala gold theft case. The investigation team is considering filing an appeal against the order of the Kollam Vigilance Court that granted him bail. The SIT is likely to approach the High Court with the appeal.
The court had earlier stated that the investigation team failed to find even the slightest evidence against the Tantri. However, the SIT plans to argue in its appeal that the court made errors while evaluating the evidence and that the court’s observation claiming the Tantri had no authority in crucial decisions related to Sabarimala is incorrect.
Kollam vigilance court on Friday granted bail to former Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) president A Padmakumar in the case relating to the alleged smuggling of gold plating from the kattilappadi (door frame) structures at Sabarimala temple.
However, he will remain in jail as he did not secure bail in the case concerning the alleged theft of gold plates from the dwarapalaka idols.