SIT Arrests Sabarimala Chief Priest Kandararu Rajeevaru in Gold Loss Case
9 Jan 2026 3:11 PM IST9 Jan 2026 3:11 PM IST
Custody of chief priest marks key turn in Sabarimala gold theft case
Kandararu Rajeevaru, the priest who heads the rituals at the temple and locally known as the Tantri, second right, stands flanked by policemen who escorted him to his room at the Sabarimala temple, one of the world's largest Hindu pilgrimage sites, in the southern Indian state of Kerala, Monday, Nov. 5, 2018. The historic Sabarimala temple which had barred women age 10 to 50 from entering the temple, opens to Hindu pilgrims for a day Monday evening. The last time it was opened, conservative protesters blocked women of menstruating age from going to the temple, defying a ruling from India's top court to let them enter. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup)
Thiruvananthapuram: In a major turn of events, the Special Investigation Team (SIT) arrested Sabarimala temple’s Tantri chief priest, Kandararu Rajeevaru, on Friday in connection with the gold theft case.
He is the eleventh person to be taken into custody since the Kerala High Court formed the SIT to investigate the removal of gold from the gold-clad copper plates of the Dwarapalaka (guardian deity) idols and the door frames of the Sreekovil (sanctum sanctorum) at Sabarimala. The chief priest was interrogated at a secret location before being brought to the SIT office in Enchakkal for further proceedings.
According to 2019 Travancore Devaswom Board records, the Devaswom Commissioner had authorized Unnikrishnan Potty to carry out repairs and gold plating of the copper sheets covering the Dwarapalakas on both sides of the sanctum doors, as well as the copper sheets covering the south and north corners of the sanctum, based on recommendations from the Sabarimala Executive Officer and the Thantri’s opinion.
During the probe, investigators found that Thantri was the one who elevated Unnikrishnan Potty, the prime accused, to a position of power. The chief priest played a key role in bringing Potty to Sabarimala.
Kandararu Rajeevaru was the Thantri at a temple in Bengaluru where Potty worked as a shantikaran, and this connection led to Potty’s appointment as the Parikarmi of Keezh Shanthi in Sabarimala.
Fluent in several languages, Potty introduced wealthy visitors from other states to the Thantri upon arriving at Sabarimala. At one point, Potty left after being cleared of charges, but with Thantri's intervention, he returned to an even more influential role as a sponsor.
The Thantri’s word holds immense weight in Sabarimala, as he has the final say in puja rituals and other matters. This influence is also why former Devaswom Board President P. S. Prashanth stated that the Thantri had permission to remove the gold amulet.
Reports suggest that Kandararu Rajeevaru knew in advance he would be arrested in the Sabarimala gold robbery case. The SIT’s revelation in the High Court put the Thantri on high alert, but the team held back, aware he might try to escape. SIT sources explained that the arrest wasn’t based on rumours or statements; they thoroughly investigated his role.
Reports suggest that Kandararu Rajeevaru knew in advance he would be arrested in the Sabarimala gold robbery case. The SIT’s revelation in the High Court put the Thantri on high alert, but the team held back, aware he might try to escape. SIT sources explained that the arrest wasn’t based on rumours or statements; they thoroughly investigated his role.
While evidence existed, questions arose about whether he could be legally implicated. Since Thantri is a government-paid employee, he falls under the Prevention of Corruption Act. When the High Court recently reviewed the case, the SIT indicated the probe would focus on him. Realising his arrest was imminent, he contacted his lawyers, but the team carefully re-examined the findings to close any loopholes before making the arrest.
( Source : Deccan Chronicle )
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