Sabarimala Tantri Kandararu Rajeevaru (file)
| Photo Credit: Nirmal Harindran
The Kollam Vigilance Court in Kerala on Wednesday (February 18, 2026) granted bail to Tantri Kandararu Rajeevaru in the Sabarimala gold theft case.
The bail was issued in connection with the cases involving the misappropriation of gold from the temple’s Dwarapalaka (guardian deity) sculptures and the Kattilappali (door frame).
The Tantri (chief priest) has been released after completing 41 days in remand. The special investigation team (SIT) had recorded the Tantri’s arrest as the final suspect in the series of investigations into the missing gold. He was initially arrested in connection with the Dwarapalaka case, and while in remand, his arrest was subsequently recorded in the Kattilappali case.
During the court proceedings, the prosecution had argued that Mr. Rajeevaru maintained close ties with the prime accused, Unnikrishnan Potti. To bolster its case, the SIT submitted details of the Tantri’s financial transactions, revealing substantial deposits in a private financial institution. According to the report, the Tantri holds ₹2.05 crore in his name, while another ₹62 lakh is deposited in his wife’s name.
Defence argument
The defence, however, countered these claims by arguing that the Tantri’s responsibilities are strictly confined to religious rituals and customs.
The defence maintained that he has no role or authority in the administrative or financial management of the temple.
Published – February 18, 2026 12:39 pm IST
