Tanthri Kandararu Rajeevaru granted bail in Sabarimala gold theft case under strict conditions

T'puram: The Kollam vigilance court granted bail to tanthri (chief priest) Kandararu Rajeevaru in the Sabarimala gold theft case on Wednesday under strict conditions. He must appear before the SIT on Tuesdays and Saturdays, is prohibited from entering Pathanamthitta district, cannot leave the state without court permission and must surrender his passport. The court also considered Rajeevaru's health while considering the bail plea.

The verdict was on the bail applications submitted in the kattilapadi and dwarapalaka (gatekeeper deity) case. The court assessed that currently there was no evidence to directly link the accused to the Sabarimala gold heist. This bail is considered a significant setback for the SIT.


Rajeevaru is the sixth accused to receive bail in the case and was released on the 41st day of his arrest.

The prosecution could not establish a direct connection between Rajeevaru and Unnikrishnan Potti. The court accepted the argument that Rajeevaru only had ritualistic powers. During the bail hearing, the SIT presented crucial evidence regarding the wealth accumulation of Rajeevaru and his wife. The SIT found large unexplained deposits in their names. The prosecution argued for a detailed investigation into the financial sources of the accused, which appeared suspicious. However, Rajeevaru claimed that he was only involved in ritual matters and was not part of the gold heist.

Rajeevaru was arrested on Jan 9 and is the second accused to receive bail before 90 days. Former administrative officer S Sreekumar was also granted bail before 90 days.