The Kerala High Court, on Tuesday, indicated its reluctance to revoke the bail granted to senior temple priest, Thantri Kandararu Rajeevaru, in connection with the Sabarimala gold misappropriation case. The case, formally titled State of Kerala v. Kandararu Rajeevaru @ Rajeev T, was presided over by Justice A Badharudeen.
The court noted the possibility of expunging adverse remarks made by the vigilance court against the Special Investigation Team (SIT) that is investigating the alleged misappropriation of gold. Despite these considerations, the court decided not to cancel the bail previously granted to the thantri by the vigilance court. The next hearing is scheduled for June 3.
The State Government’s plea aimed to annul Rajeevaru’s bail and sought the removal of critical observations from the lower court’s order regarding the investigation by the SIT. Previously, the High Court had issued an interim stay on the unfavorable comments directed at the SIT and its officer.
This legal battle stems from allegations that gold, including gold-plated coverings from the Dwarapalaka idols and the sanctum sanctorum (Sreekovil), was misappropriated from the Sabarimala Temple. The discrepancies emerged when sacred artefacts, initially weighing around 42,800 grams, were returned from repairs with a significant reduction in weight.
The prosecution claims that the gold was removed under the direction of Unnikrishnan Potti, the principal accused, with the senior thantri’s complicity. Rajeevaru is accused of endorsing the repair proposal, which led to the temple authorities releasing the items. Furthermore, it is alleged that the thantri was present during the preparation of documents detailing the artefacts’ removal, and he purportedly listed these as “copper plates” rather than “gold-cladded copper plates,” facilitating the alleged theft.
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Rajeevaru was apprehended by the SIT in January, but a vigilance court in Kollam later granted him bail, citing a lack of prima facie evidence of his involvement in a conspiracy with Potti. The court also criticized the SIT’s investigative efforts, highlighting the absence of direct evidence linking Rajeevaru to the crime.
Before the High Court, the SIT argued that the trial court had disregarded witness testimonies and documentary evidence that suggested a significant connection between Rajeevaru and the main accused. They further asserted that the vigilance court’s conclusions resembled a “mini trial” during the bail phase, potentially hindering the ongoing investigation.
The High Court’s oral remarks reinforce the stance that the bail granted to Kandararu Rajeevaru will remain intact.
