Twist in Sabarimala gold theft scandal: Chief priest, key figure at temple, arrested

Of the two cases registered in connection with the matter, police sources said Rajeevaru (66) was arrested in the case pertaining to the removal of the gold-plated side frames of the doors and connected plates of the Sreekovil (sanctum sanctorum). He has been listed as the 13th accused in the case. The other case pertains to the removal of gold-covered plates from the temple’s Dwarapalaka idols.

In the remand report submitted at the Vigilance court, the SIT highlighted his alleged complicity in the violation of the ritual at the temple. He was the chief priest at Sabarimala in 1998-99 when the temple artefacts were first gold-plated, and then again in the 2019 period, when the same artefacts were removed and handed over to the main accused, Unnikrishnan Potty. Rajeevaru knew that any repair work on the items should be held only at the temple premises, the SIT claimed. However, the items were allegedly taken out of the temple by Potty on the pretext of gold-plating them again.

According to the investigators, there was allegedly a deliberate overlooking of the illegal act, i.e. the removal of the plates and their handover to Potty in violation of the procedures and norms. Despite being the highest authority at the temple to protect the wealth of the deity, the Tantri allegedly did not act against the removal of the gold-plated coverings of the artefacts, the SIT claimed.

When the items were returned by Potty in July 2019, the Tantri was present at the temple, but did not flag the illegal act, the SIT claimed, further alleging that the Tantri had conspired with other accused to further the interests of Potty.

The SIT also found that prior to the scandal, Rajeevaru allegedly paved the way for Potty to work as an assistant to priests at the temple.

Potty, who allegedly took gold-plated temple items out of the shrine in 2019 and 2025 under the pretext of covering them with gold again, was made an assistant to priests in 2007-08. Later, he facilitated darshan for VIPs, businessmen and celebrities at the temple, before becoming a “sponsor” for gold-plating temple artefacts.

While being taken to a hospital for the mandatory medical examination, Rajeevaru told reporters that he was innocent.

Rajeevaru belongs to the Thazhamon family, whose members have traditionally been priests at Sabarimala. He is the most senior priest from the family and joined the temple in 1995, emerging as a key figure there over the years. In 2024, his son Kandararu Brahmadathan joined as a temple priest.

A member of the Thazhmon family and social commentator, Rahul Easwar, defended Rajeevaru in a Facebook post. “The Tantri has no role in temple administrative matters. His responsibility is limited to matters related to faith and rituals. Rajeevaru has never been involved in any controversy, and there has been no lapse on his part so far,” he said.

Early this week, the High Court, which formed the SIT, said the investigation into the scandal has been classified into four distinct phases. The first phase relates to the gold cladding of various adornments and artefacts in and around the Sreekovil of Sabarimala. The second phase concerns the replacement of the old gold-clad door of the Sreekovil with a new gold-plated door in 2019. The third phase pertained to the removal of the gold-clad Dwarapalaka idol plates, side plates, and door frame plates in 2019. The fourth covers all transactions relating to the gold plating of the Dwarapalaka idol plates in 2025.

The court had found that gold was allegedly surreptitiously removed, replaced, or misappropriated pursuant to a premeditated and concerted design by individuals entrusted with the custody and protection of the deity’s valuables. The next hearing is on January 19.