Sabarimala Gold Theft: Setback for Tantri Kandararu Rajeevar, High Court Issues Notice
Kochi: A setback for Tantri Kandararu Rajeevar in the Sabarimala gold theft case. The Kerala High Court has stayed the Kollam Vigilance Court’s observation that there was no evidence against the Tantri. The High Court has issued a notice to the Tantri on an appeal filed by the SIT (Special Investigation Team) and has also considered the plea seeking cancellation of his bail.
The Tantri had secured bail and was released on the 41st day. This had raised questions about the relevance of the SIT investigation itself. The bail order stated that the SIT had failed to prove the Tantri’s involvement and that there was no evidence linking him to either of the two cases. The bail was granted after rejecting the SIT’s arguments. The court had also observed that the Tantri is not responsible for items outside the sanctum sanctorum, has no role in repair works, and that gold plating of sculptures and panels is neither a ritual nor a customary practice. It was also noted that the Tantri had not signed the mahazars (official records), and that the conspiracy allegation would not stand.
However, the SIT approached the High Court seeking cancellation of Tantri Kandararu Rajeevar’s bail. According to the SIT, there is substantial evidence of a connection between the Tantri and the first accused, Unnikrishnan Potti. The two were seen together on multiple occasions in Bangalore in 2002. When Potti lost his job at Sreerampuram temple, the Tantri had tried to appoint him as a priest at the Mahalakshmi temple in Bangalore. In 2017, it was Potti who brought the Tantri to a ritual at accused Govardhan’s house, and there is photographic evidence of this. The SIT also states that Potti was allowed entry into Sabarimala by the Tantri’s family. The petition further claims that there is evidence of a conspiracy involving the Tantri, Potti, and other accused to smuggle gold plates. The High Court has now admitted the SIT’s appeal.