The Kerala High Court on Tuesday intervened in the ongoing investigation into the alleged misappropriation of gold from the Sabarimala temple, staying controversial observations made by a lower court regarding the involvement of the temple’s chief priest (Tantri), Kandararu Rajeevaru.
Justice A. Badharudeen issued the order while considering an appeal filed by the Special Investigation Team (SIT). The SIT is seeking to cancel the bail granted to Rajeevaru and quash specific remarks made by the Court of Enquiry Commissioner and Special Judge (Vigilance), Kollam, which the investigators claim have caused a “grave miscarriage of justice.”
The Core of the Dispute
The SIT’s appeal centers on the alleged loss of gold cladding from the Dwarapalaka (guardian deity) idols and the door frames of the Sreekovil (sanctum sanctorum) at the hill shrine. Rajeevaru, the chief priest, is listed as the 16th accused in the Dwarapalaka case and the 13th accused in the Sreekovil case.
On February 18, the Vigilance Court in Kollam granted bail to the Tantri in both cases, notably observing that there was “not even an iota of evidence” against him. The SIT has now challenged this relief in the Dwarapalaka case, arguing that such “unwarranted and unnecessary” remarks by the special judge would severely interfere with the integrity of the ongoing probe.
Arguments and Allegations
The prosecution, led by Director General of Prosecution T.A. Shaji and Additional Public Prosecutor P. Narayanan, contends that the Tantri played a pivotal role in the illegal removal of sacred artefacts.
According to the SIT’s plea:
- The Mahazar Discrepancy: The Vigilance Court had previously noted that the SIT’s conspiracy theory failed because Rajeevaru did not sign a crucial mahazar (inventory document) dated July 20, 2019.
- Intentional Absence: The SIT counters this, claiming Rajeevaru “purposefully abstained” from signing the July 20 document despite being present at the Sannidhanam. Investigators allege this was a calculated move to “avoid direct traceability” while facilitating the transportation of sacred items outside the temple.
- The July 19 Document: The SIT highlighted that the Tantri did sign an earlier document on July 19, 2019. In this document, gold-cladded artefacts were allegedly falsely described as “mere copper plates,” a misidentification that allowed the items to be moved out of the temple premises.
Furthermore, the SIT alleges that the Tantri’s formal opinion was the basis for the Travancore Devaswom Board’s (TDB) decision to hand over these artefacts to another individual, identified as Potty.
High Court Intervention
In addition to staying the Vigilance Court’s observations, the Kerala High Court has issued a formal notice to Kandararu Rajeevaru, seeking his stance on the SIT’s appeal to cancel his bail.
The SIT maintains that the special court’s assessment—that the mere signing of a document without other incriminating circumstances is insufficient for implication—ignores the weight of the Board’s formal decisions and the specific role of the Tantri in verifying temple property.
