Sabarimala Thantri Appointment: Devaswom Board Seeks Kerala High Court Opinion on Kandararu Rajeevaru's Request to Appoint His Son as Thantri
Thiruvananthapuram: Sabarimala Tantri Kandararu Rajeevaru has reportedly written to the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) seeking to be relieved of his duties, citing ill health. In the letter, Rajeevaru requested that his son, Brahmadattan, be entrusted with the responsibilities of the Sabarimala Tantri in his place.
Under the existing rotation system followed by the Tantri family, Kandararu Rajeevaru is scheduled to perform the temple rituals at Sabarimala during the upcoming term. However, owing to his health condition, he has sought permission from the Devaswom Board to step down and allow his son to assume the role.
Notably, the letter does not mention the ongoing Sabarimala gold theft case, in which Rajeevaru is an accused. The Travancore Devaswom Board has not yet taken a decision on his request. Board officials have indicated that any decision regarding the appointment of a new Tantri will be made only after seeking the opinion and directions of the Kerala High Court, considering the legal issues surrounding the matter.
Rajeevaru was earlier arrested by the Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the Sabarimala gold theft case. According to the investigation, it was the Tantri who introduced Unnikrishnan Potty, the prime accused in the case, to Sabarimala.
The SIT also found that Rajeevaru allegedly played a key role in helping Unnikrishnan Potty gain influence within the temple administration. Statements recorded from Sabarimala employees reportedly indicated that the Tantri facilitated Potty's access to temple affairs, while investigators further alleged that Rajeevaru helped him obtain the status of a temple sponsor.
The Travancore Devaswom Board will take a decision on Rajeevaru's request based on the Kerala High Court's directions.