The Special Investigation Team (SIT) has approached the Kerala High Court seeking cancellation of bail granted to Sabarimala temple tantri Kandararu Rajeevaru in the alleged gold loss case linked to temple artefacts.
SIT Challenges Bail Order
The SIT argued that the bail granted by a vigilance court resulted in a “grave miscarriage of justice” and overlooked key evidence collected during the investigation. The agency filed its plea through Additional Public Prosecutor P Narayanan.
The court had granted Rajeevaru bail on February 18, observing that there was no clear evidence linking him to the alleged disappearance of gold from temple structures.
Allegations in the Gold Loss Probe
The case relates to suspected misappropriation of gold from artefacts at the Sabarimala Temple, particularly the Dwarapalaka idols and door frames of the Sreekovil. Investigators believe the gold-clad items were removed for replating and discrepancies later emerged in the quantity of gold returned.
Rajeevaru is listed as the 16th accused in the Dwarapalaka case and the 13th accused in the Sreekovil case. The SIT claims his role and actions during the 2019 replating process are relevant to the probe.
Further Legal Action Expected
The SIT has currently challenged the bail granted in the Dwarapalaka case and indicated that it will soon move the court to challenge bail granted in the Sreekovil case as well.
The investigation into the alleged gold loss at the temple remains ongoing under court supervision.