Irregularities in gold plating of idols: Noose tightens for Tantri

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The noose has further tightened for Tantri Kandararu Rajeevaru, who was arrested in the Sabarimala gold theft case. The Special Investigation Team (SIT) has now recorded his arrest in the Dwarapalaka case linked to the gold theft. The Tantri, who is already in jail, was formally arrested in the new case after the investigation team reached the prison. The SIT took this step after finding that the Tantri had direct involvement in irregularities related to gold plating on idols at Sabarimala.

The investigators reached the jail and recorded the arrest in the Dwarapalaka case after obtaining permission from the court. A report submitted to the court states that Kandararu Rajeevaru had a direct role in the fraud. Meanwhile, the investigation team has also brought the replacement of the flagstaff (kodimaram) at Sabarimala under its probe. The investigation into the flagstaff replacement began after a vaji vahanam (ornamental part of the flagstaff) from the old kodimaram was taken into custody from the Tantri’s house and produced before the court.

The vaji vahanam had earlier been handed over to Tantri Kandararu Rajeevaru by the Devaswom Board. When the gold theft controversy surfaced, the Tantri had informed the former Devaswom Board that he was ready to return the vaji vahanam. However, the Board was not willing to take it back.

Earlier, the police had arrested Devaswom Board member Shankaradas on Wednesday for deciding to hand over the Dwarapalaka panel and the door frame panel to Unnikrishnan Potty, the main accused in the gold theft case. Following this, Kandararu Rajeevaru’s arrest was recorded today in the Dwarapalaka case as well. The investigation team is preparing to file an application seeking custody of the Tantri. Once custody is granted, the plan is to conduct detailed questioning.