Sabarimala gold theft case: SIT arrests chief priest; links with Potti under probe

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The peculiar probe squad probing the Sabarimala golden scam arrested Friday Kandararu Rajeevaru, the tantri (chief priest) of the Ayyappa temple, aft detaining and questioning him earlier successful the day.Rajeevaru was arrested for his alleged adjacent links with premier accused Unnikrishnan Potti and for giving “silent permission” to the replating of the dwarapalaka (guardian) idol and kattilapadi (door frame) gold-clad plates extracurricular the temple premises, authoritative sources said.Rajeevaru maintained that support was fixed lone for repair enactment and each procedures were followed. He has been remanded successful judicial custody for 14 days.SIT investigators assertion Potti had visited Sabarimala temple arsenic an subordinate of the tantri. Sponsorship permissions granted to Potti were recovered to beryllium questionable and investigators fishy that Rajeevaru had a adjacent narration with him arsenic the tantri himself had led each dealings involving Potti.Rajeevaru’s engagement successful these transactions was “confirmed” chiefly based connected Potti’s statements.SIT recovered that Rajeevaru was alert that replating was carried retired extracurricular the premises of the shrine successful 2019, violating ritual norms, and helium did not study it due to the fact that of his proximity to Potti, who was handed plates for replating.SIT is investigating 2 cases related to the mislaid gold, and Rajeevaru’s apprehension was recorded successful the 2nd case, sources said. He is the 12th idiosyncratic to beryllium arrested successful the case. His bail plea is scheduled to beryllium heard connected Tuesday.