• உலக செய்திகள் "Twist in Sabarimala Gold Theft Scandal: Chief Priest – a Key Temple Figure – Arrested"
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• ramani on 2026-01-11 19:43:17

News By MAAHGESHAN

11Jan26 Tantri Alleged to Have Conspired with Accused to Advance Potty’s Interests in Sabarimala Gold Theft ScandalThe Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the Sabarimala gold theft scandal has found evidence suggesting the temple’s Tantri conspired with other accused individuals to further the interests of Potty, who is at the centre of the case.

 

Prior to the emergence of the scandal, Rajeevaru – the Tantri in question – allegedly facilitated Potty’s appointment as an assistant to priests at the temple. Potty was first made an assistant priest between 2007 and 2008. Over time, his role expanded to include facilitating darshan for VIPs, businessmen, and celebrities, before he went on to become a “sponsor” for gold-plating temple artefacts. It is alleged that in 2019 and 2025, Potty removed gold-plated items from the shrine under the pretext of re-gold-plating them.

 

When taken to a hospital for a mandatory medical examination following his arrest, Rajeevaru maintained his innocence to reporters.Rajeevaru is a member of the Thazhamon family, which has a long-standing tradition of serving as priests at Sabarimala. He joined the temple in 1995 and rose to become one of its most senior and key figures. In 2024, his son Kandararu Brahmadathan was appointed as a temple priest.

 

Rahul Easwar, a member of the Thazhamon family and social commentator, defended Rajeevaru in a Facebook post. He stated: “The Tantri has no role in temple administrative matters. His responsibility is limited to matters related to faith and rituals. Rajeevaru has never been involved in any controversy, and there has been no lapse on his part so far.”

 

Earlier this week, the High Court – which constituted the SIT – announced that the investigation has been structured into four distinct phases. The first phase focuses on the gold cladding of adornments and artefacts in and around the Sreekovil. The second phase examines the replacement of the Sreekovil’s old gold-clad door with a new gold-plated one in 2019. The third phase pertains to the removal of gold-clad plates from the Dwarapalaka idol, side plates, and door frames in the same year. The fourth phase covers all transactions related to the gold plating of the Dwarapalaka idol plates in 2025.

 

The court noted that gold was allegedly removed, replaced, or misappropriated as part of a premeditated and coordinated plan by individuals responsible for safeguarding the deity’s valuables. The next hearing in the case is scheduled for January 19.