'Havn't done anything wrong'; Tantri Kandararu Rajeevaru says he was framed, taken to Kollam

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Following his arrest in the Sabarimala gold theft case, Tantri Kandararu Rajeevaru has given his first reaction. He said that he has not committed any wrongdoing. His response came while he was being taken to the Thiruvananthapuram General Hospital for a medical examination. When media persons asked whether he had been framed, the Tantri nodded in agreement. He was then escorted to the SIT's vehicle.

After the medical examination, Kandararu Rajeevaru was taken to be produced before the Kollam Vigilance Magistrate. Earlier, the SIT had recorded his statement in connection with the gold theft case. In his statement, Rajeevaru said that he knew Unnikrishnan Potty, but claimed that he had submitted a note as instructed by officials.

The SIT officially recorded the arrest of the Tantri at around 2.30 pm. He was then taken to the SIT office at Eanchakkal in Thiruvananthapuram. According to the investigation team, it was the Tantri who brought Unnikrishnan Potty, the main accused in the gold theft case, to Sabarimala. Employments at Sabarimala have also given statements against the Tantri, claiming that the Tantri was behind Potty's influence in the Sannidhanam.

The investigation team has found that the Tantri had a role in bringing Potty as a sponsor. The SIT also noted that since the government pays Tantri's salary, he would come under the purview of the Prevention of Corruption Act. Investigators have also received information suggesting that the Tantri was aware of Unnikrishnan Potty's involvement in gold theft.

The SIT has also concluded that three permissions granted by the Tantri are suspicious. The Tantri had been summoned by the investigation team over the past two days, but he reportedly avoided appearing, citing health issues. Earlier, questions had been raised about how the Prevention of Corruption Act could be applied against him. The investigation team has now collected evidence related to this matter.