THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The special investigation team probing the Sabarimala gold scam on Friday arrested Kandararu Rajeevaru, the tantri (head priest) of the Ayyappa temple, after arresting and questioning him earlier in the day.According to official sources, Rajeevaru was arrested for his alleged close association with prime accused Unnikrishnan Potti and for his “silent permission” to re-install the Dwarapalaka idol (guardian) and gold-plated Kattilapadi panels (door frames) outside the temple premises.Rajeevaru claimed that permission was given only for repair work and all procedures were followed. He has been in custody for 14 days.SIT investigators claim that Potti visited the Sabarimala temple as an associate of the tantri. The sponsorship permissions granted to Potti turned out to be questionable and investigators suspect that Rajeevaru had a close relationship with him as the tantri himself had managed all the dealings with Potti.Rajeevaru’s involvement in these transactions was “confirmed” primarily on the basis of Potti’s statements.SIT found that Rajeevaru was aware that replating was done outside the shrine premises in 2019, violating ritual norms, and he did not report it due to his proximity to Potti, to whom the replating was given.SIT is investigating two cases related to the lost gold and Rajeevaru’s arrest has been registered in the second case, sources said. He is the 12th person arrested in this case. His bail application is scheduled to be heard on Tuesday.
