Evidences against Tantri, references on order without understanding facts; SIT to move HC

KOCHI: Reports say the special investigation team (SIT) will approach the Kerala High Court against the order granting bail to Tantri Kandararu Rajeevaru. It is alleged that the references in the order were without understanding facts. There are a lot of evidences against the Tantri and these evidences were not fully produced in the court, said the SIT.

The order of the lower court will incur a setback in the case. The SIT demands that the references in the order be completely removed. Law Minister P Rajeev said there is no

need for the government to opine on the appeal against the bail of Sabarimala Tantri Kandararu Rajeevaru.

The Kollam Vigilance Court granted bail to the Tantri. The verdict was on the bail plea filed in the door frames case and the Dwarapalaka idol sheets case. The special investigation team had argued that the Tantri has involvement in the financial transactions related to the Sabarimala gold theft. However, the defense argued that as a Tantri, he had only given the consent of the deity and that none of the charges against other accused in the devaswom board were against Kandararu Rajeevaru. Bail was granted considering all these.

Meantime, senior Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala alleged that the SIT arrested the Tantri without any evidence in the Sabarimala gold theft case. Chennithala alleged that the arrest of the Tantri was suspicious and that the SIT acted on the directions of the chief minister's office.