- By Soumyaroop Mukherjee
- Fri, 09 Jan 2026 08:34 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
A Special Investigation Team (SIT) on Friday arrested Kandararu Rajeevaru, the Chief Priest of the Sabarimala temple, in connection with a gold theft case. Rajeevaru serves as the supreme ritual authority at the Lord Ayyappa shrine. The Chief Priest was taken to an undisclosed facility in the morning and was later shifted to the SIT office in the afternoon, where he was officially taken into custody.
According to PTI, citing officials, the arrest was made after the prime accused, Unnikrishnan Potty, and former Travancore Devaswom Board president A Padmakumar gave statements indicating Rajeevaru’s involvement in the case. Rajeevaru maintained a close association with Potty and had recommended the replating of the Dwarapalaka (guardian deity) and the Sreekovil (sanctum sanctorum) doorframe plates.
Later, when the Travancore Devaswom Board sought permission for replating, the Chief Priest approved. Rajeevaru was questioned in November 2025 as part of the investigation. However, investigators had not found concrete evidence against him at that time. Following fresh evidence, the SIT arrested him. With his arrest, 11 people have been booked in the case so far.
Probe Moving In ‘Right Direction,’ Says Devaswom Minister V.N. Vasavan
VN Vasavan, the minister in charge of Devaswom, said the investigation was progressing in the right direction under the Kerala High Court’s supervision. “The probe is progressing in the right direction, and the court has expressed its satisfaction,” he said.
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State Police Chief Ravada A Chandrasekhar said the investigation would continue based on available evidence. “Whatever evidence comes to light, the investigation will go ahead,” he said. However, Chandrasekhar declined to comment on Rajeevaru’s arrest.
(With inputs from PTI)