Tantri touched Ayyappa's gold; SIT finds Kandararu Rajeevaru initiated removal of gold plate

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Special Investigation Team (SIT) has stated that there is strong evidence against Tantri Kandararu Rajeevaru in the Sabarimala gold theft case and that he may be implicated in further cases. The Tantri was the one who first removed the gold plates on the Dwarapalaka sculptures by performing the Anujna Kalasham.

Meanwhile, the Tantri, who was in remand at Poojappura Special Sub Jail, was admitted to the ICU of Thiruvananthapuram Medical College Hospital after experiencing health issues. Initially, he was taken to the General Hospital, but abnormalities were detected in his ECG, prompting a transfer to the Medical College. He is currently under observation by cardiology and internal medicine specialists. The SIT, led by DySP Suresh Babu, also conducted a raid at the Tantri’s home in Chengannur.

Investigations indicate that as the final authority in the temple, the Tantri had equal participation with the board and officials in the gold theft. Questioning of other key accused, including Potty and Padmakumar, is expected to reveal more details. The SIT has also found that the Tantri benefited financially from the theft, and this information will be shared with the Enforcement Directorate (ED).

The Tantri was found to be directly involved in removing gold plates from the sculptures and in changing the temple door, with suspicion also on his role in sponsoring the gold-plated flagstaff. The SIT will submit a report on the Dwarapalaka sculpture case to the Kollam Vigilance Court on Tuesday.

It was found that the Tantri instructed the repair work, claiming that the gold plates on the sculptures had lost their shine and had dents caused by devotees throwing coins. He also gave permission to remove the plates and performed the Anujna Kalasham when the gold was reapplied. The Tantri, the 13th accused in the theft of temple doors and Prabhamandalam, remains in remand. The authorities are also considering filing a theft case for allegedly taking the gold-plated Vajivahanam from the flagstaff and keeping it at his house.

Took away Vajivahanam
The SIT has found that when a new flagstaff was installed in 2017, the Vajivahanam from the old flagstaff was taken away by the Tantri. Claiming it as his personal property, the Tantri allegedly gave it to a leading industrialist in Andhra Pradesh and took it back after the gold theft came to light. Although the Tantri later wrote to the board asking it to accept the Vajivahanam from him, no decision was taken. The SIT also said that three other persons closely associated with the Tantri are under suspicion.

2.5 kg of gold on Sreekovil becomes 40 sovereigns

• The SIT has also uncovered irregularities in the replacement of the Sreekovil door. In 1998, the temple door was decorated using more than 2.5 kilograms of gold. Over time, the shine had dulled, and complaints about rats led Unnikrishnan Potty to replace the old door with a new one in 2019. However, it has been found that the new door was plated with only 40 sovereigns of gold.
• Regarding the temple doors, the SIT found irregularities in the replacement process. In 1998, over 2.5 kg of gold was used to decorate the original Sabarimala temple door. Over time, the shine had dulled, and complaints about rats led Unnikrishnan Potty in 2019 to replace the old door with a new one, which had only 40 sovereigns of gold plating.