Sabarimala Gold Theft: Kerala High Court Stays Special Court's Observations in Thanthri Rajeev's Bail

The Kerala High Court on Tuesday (17 March) stayed the observations made by the Special Court against the investigation of the Special Investigation Team (SIT) in the Sabarimala Gold Theft case. 

Justice A. Badharudeen issued the order in the plea moved by the State seeking to cancel the bail granted to Kandararu Rajeevaru @ Rajeev Thantri, who is arrayed as an accused in the Sabarimala gold theft case. 

The plea sought to expunge the alleged adverse remarks made by the Special Judge against the investigation, stating them to be 'unwarranted and prejudicial to investigation'. 

The Court heard the matter, issued stay order against the remarks made and issued notice to Thanthri Rajeevaru. 

Rajeevaru was arrested by the Special Investigation Team in January and he was released after around 54 days in custody when the Court of the Enquiry Commissioner and Special Judge, Kollam granted him bail.

He is accused of the offences under Sections 120B [Conspiracy], 403 [Dishonest misappropriation of property], 406 [Criminal breach of trust], 409 [Criminal breach of trust by public servant], 466 [Forgery of record of Court or of public register] and 467 [Forgery of valuable security] r/w Section 34 [Common intention] of the Indian Penal Code along with the offence under Section 13(1)(a) of the Prevention of Corruption (Amendment) Act, 2018. 

The allegation against Rajeevaru is that at the time of the alleged occurrence, he was the Chief Priest of the Sabarimala Temple and held ultimate authority in matters concerning rituals and religious sanctity of the temple. On 18.06.2019, he produced a typed opinion agreeing to proposal of re-plating the gold-cladded idols as suggested by Unnikrishnan Potty, the first accused and this decision formed the basis of the decision of the Travancore Devaswom Board to hand over the gold-cladded items. 

As per the plea, the Special Judge failed to properly appreciate the gravity of the offences as well as the prima facie materials collected during investigation.

(a detailed order is awaited)

Case Title: State of Kerala v. Kandararu Rajeevaru @ Rajeev T

Case No: Crl. MC 2455/ 2026