TNI Bureau: The investigation into the alleged theft of gold from Sabarimala temple artefacts took a significant turn with the arrest of the temple’s tantri (chief priest), Kandararu Rajeevaru, by the Special Investigation Team (SIT).

The SIT, constituted following directions from the Kerala High Court, has registered two cases in the matter and has so far arrested nine people. Those arrested include senior employees of the Travancore Devaswom Board and CPI(M) leaders who earlier headed the board that manages the hill shrine. Rajeevaru is the first member of the temple’s Tantri family to be arrested in connection with the case. His arrest comes during the ongoing annual festival at Sabarimala.

According to police sources, Rajeevaru allegedly facilitated the entry and continued presence of the prime accused, Unnikrishnan Potty, as an assistant to the temple priests. Potty is accused of removing gold-plated temple items under the pretext of gold covering works in 2019 and again in 2025. He first entered the temple as an assistant in 2007–08 and later remained around the shrine, arranging darshan for VIPs, businessmen and celebrities. Over time, he reportedly emerged as a self-styled sponsor for gold covering of temple artefacts.

Rajeevaru will be produced before the Vigilance Court in Kollam, where the case is currently being heard.

Belonging to the Thazhamon family, which has traditionally served as priests at Sabarimala, Rajeevaru joined the temple in 1995 and later became its most senior priest. His son, Kandararu Brahmadathan, was appointed as a temple priest in 2024.

Earlier this week, the Kerala High Court said the SIT investigation has been divided into four phases. These include the gold cladding of adornments and artefacts around the Sreekovil, replacement of the gold-clad Sreekovil door in 2019, removal of gold-clad Dwarapalaka idol plates and related fittings in the same year, and transactions linked to gold plating of Dwarapalaka idol plates in 2025.

The court observed that gold appeared to have been secretly removed, replaced or misappropriated through a premeditated and coordinated effort by individuals entrusted with safeguarding the temple’s valuables. The next hearing in the case is scheduled for January 19.