In a significant setback for the Special Investigation Team (SIT) examining the Sabarimala gold theft case, the Kollam Vigilance Court observed that investigators failed to present any material to support a prima facie case against thantri Kandararu Rajeevaru. The court remarked that there was not even minimal evidence linking him to the alleged offences.
Rajeevaru was granted bail on Wednesday, 41 days after his arrest by the SIT in connection with cases involving the removal of gold-plated sheets from temple door frames and dwarapalaka idols. In its order, the court stated that the SIT could not establish any preliminary grounds connecting the thantri to the purported conspiracy.
The court noted that the thantri’s refusal to sign certain mahazars dated May 18, 2019, and July 20, 2019, undermined the SIT’s theory of criminal conspiracy. These mahazars were prepared after gilded sheets removed from the door frames and dwarapalaka idols were handed over to Unnikrishnan Potti, identified as the prime accused.
Although Rajeevaru had signed another mahazar on July 19 regarding the transfer of gilded sheets from the dwarapalaka idols, the court clarified that this document was prepared in line with an official decision of the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB). In the absence of additional incriminating factors, the court held that this could not be treated as a basis for implicating the thantri.
The court also accepted Rajeevaru’s argument that he had no administrative authority within the TDB and therefore could not be held responsible for decisions taken by the board. It emphasized that the thantri was not empowered to question or override official actions, including the movement of artefacts outside the temple premises.
The SIT had contended that Rajeevaru failed to challenge the relocation of artefacts, claiming it violated the TDB manual. However, the court concluded that such expectations were misplaced given the thantri’s limited role.
