Tantri Kantarar Rajeevar was granted bail by the Kollam Vigilance Court in connection with the Sabarimala gold theft case, a significant development in the ongoing probe. The bail was approved based on applications filed in the Kattillappalli case and the Dwarapalaka idol case. The court noted the absence of direct evidence linking the tantri to the alleged gold theft at Sabarimala at this stage.
The court acknowledged that the tantri’s responsibilities were primarily related to ritualistic and spiritual functions, emphasizing his lack of administrative or financial control. Despite the prosecution’s efforts, a direct connection between the tantri and key accused Unnikrishnan Potti could not be established. Bail was granted under strict conditions, considering the tantri’s health condition.
The decision to grant bail to Tantri Kantarar Rajeevar is seen as a setback for the Special Investigation Team (SIT), which had opposed bail and preferred continued custody for further interrogation. During the hearing, the SIT presented evidence alleging unaccounted deposits in the tantri’s and his wife’s names, prompting calls for a detailed investigation into their financial sources.
Rajeevar becomes the sixth accused in the case to secure bail, following Unnikrishnan Potti, Vasu, and Murari Babu. Arrested on January 9, he is the second accused to obtain bail before completing 90 days in custody. Former administrative officer S. Sreekumar had previously been granted bail, while former Devaswom Board president A. Padmakumar has sought statutory bail in the Kattillappalli case, with a hearing scheduled for February 19.
