Enforcement Directorate Questions Sabarimala Tanthri in Gold Misappropriation Probe
In a significant development in the alleged Sabarimala gold misappropriation case, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) summoned and questioned Tanthri Kandararu Rajeevaru at their Kochi office on Wednesday. Rajeevaru arrived at the ED office around 2:45 PM and underwent intensive questioning for nearly four hours as part of the ongoing investigation.
Focus on Links with Prime Accused
According to sources familiar with the investigation, ED officials concentrated their interrogation on Rajeevaru's alleged connections with Unnikrishnan Potti, who has been identified as the prime accused in this high-profile case. The case originated from findings by a Special Investigation Team (SIT) constituted by the Kerala High Court to investigate irregularities at the Sabarimala temple.
Background of the Gold Misappropriation Allegations
The SIT investigation revealed that in 2007, Unnikrishnan Potti, who was brought in as a helper at the temple, was allegedly permitted to dismantle gold-plated moulds from various temple structures. These included valuable stone carvings, doorways, and sculptures that held significant religious and historical value. The dismantled items were then reportedly transported to a private metal works unit called Smart Creations located in Ambathur, Chennai, under the pretext of restoration work.
The SIT arrested Rajeevaru in January on multiple charges including criminal conspiracy and dishonest misappropriation of temple artefacts. After spending 41 days in judicial custody, he was granted bail on February 18. The ED is now examining alleged financial transactions that were flagged by the SIT during their initial investigation.
Expanding Investigation Under PMLA
This questioning forms part of a broader probe being conducted under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). Just one day before questioning Rajeevaru, on Tuesday, the ED had questioned N Vasu, the former president of the Travancore Devaswom Board, which administers the Sabarimala temple. This indicates the investigation is expanding to examine multiple individuals connected to the temple administration and the alleged misappropriation scheme.
The case highlights ongoing concerns about the security and preservation of valuable artefacts at India's prominent religious institutions, particularly at Sabarimala, which attracts millions of devotees annually. The ED's involvement suggests authorities are treating this as a serious financial crime with potential money laundering implications beyond the initial theft allegations.
