KOCHI: The Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the misappropriation of gold from Sabarimala temple artefacts on Friday approached the Kerala High Court seeking cancellation of bail granted to tantri Kandararu Rajeevaru, an accused in the case.
The plea also seeks to expunge the adverse remarks made by the Special Judge against the investigation team, stating them to be “unwarranted and prejudicial to the investigation.”
According to the SIT, the investigation revealed that the tantri had crores of rupees invested illegally with a private firm. The probe is continuing to unearth more facts regarding his alleged illegal enrichment. The SIT also stated that there is ample evidence on record showing the direct involvement of the tantri along with other prime accused persons.
“There was a wide conspiracy and misappropriation of a huge quantity of gold from the artefacts adorned in and around the sanctum sanctorum of the Sabarimala Sreekovil with his full knowledge and connivance, which ultimately resulted in huge loss to the Sabarimala temple,” the petition stated.
While granting bail to the tantri, the Special Court in Kollam had observed that “…no iota of evidence has been adduced by the investigating agency to prove any direct unholy nexus between the petitioner and the first accused at this stage of investigation, barring the bald averment that there was a close relationship between the petitioner and the first accused.”
The SIT submitted before the High Court that a number of witnesses have specifically given statements proving the close relationship between the tantri and the first accused, Unnikrishnan Potti.
HC backs probe team
The Devaswom Bench of the Kerala High Court, which is monitoring the Sabarimala gold theft case, on Friday praised the investigation by the Special Investigation Team (SIT) and observed that a very meticulous probe is being carried out.
The Bench, comprising Justice Raja Vijayaraghavan V and Justice K V Jayakumar, orally observed that the best investigators in the state are handling the case and asked the petitioners, who have sought a probe by a central agency, to give the SIT time.
The court added that the case involves a long sequence of events and complex scientific examination of the gold. “A long sequence of events is involved and the exact scientific analysis is being obtained. It will take some time,” the judges orally observed. The court directed the government pleader to file an affidavit in response to the petitions.
Irregularities in ghee accounting
The audit department on Friday informed the Kerala High Court that it had noticed serious irregularities in the accounting process relating to ‘Aadiya Sishtam’ ghee at Sabarimala Temple. The audit found a shortfall of Rs 25,52,000.
While the Temple Special Officer’s records showed a remittance of Rs 3,17,37,200, the actual amount due based on the number of pouches distributed was Rs 3,42,89,200.
The department also pointed out poor record-keeping. There were also massive fluctuations in the number of ghee pouches produced per kilogram of plastic roll.
The department suggested completing the digitisation of accounting at the Sabarimala before the next festival season to ensure transparency, proper monitoring and effective accountability. The court directed the authorities to carry out the audit and file a detailed report.