The Special Investigation Team (SIT) appointed by the Kerala High Court has arrested Sabarimala Thantri (highest religious authority) Kandararu Rajeevaru (66) after finding ample evidence about his involvement in the Sabarimala gold theft case. The arrest was recorded after the Thantri surrendered before the SIT on Friday morning and underwent nearly eight hours of interrogation.

He has been arrested in connection with the theft of gold from the doorframe (kattilappali) of the Sabarimala sanctum sanctorum. Named as the 13th accused in the case, he was produced before the Kollam Vigilance Court and remanded to 14 days of custody. Following further interrogation, his arrest will also be recorded in the case involving the theft of the gold plating from the Dwarapalaka (guardian deity) statues.

The SIT had previously received information that the Thantri provided the opportunity for the prime accused, Unnikrishnan Potti, and his gang to steal the gold. However, the SIT proceeded with the arrest only after collecting maximum evidence and convincing the High Court. The High Court had earlier evaluated the investigation into the Sabarimala gold theft as "scientific and impartial."

The arrest of the Thantri, marks a critical turning point in the investigation. The remand report States that the Thantri, who is responsible for final decisions on temple rituals, gave "criminal tacit consent" to the crime. He faces charges under IPC Sections 403, 406, 409, 466, 467, 120(B), and 34, as well as Sections 13(1) and 13(2) of the Prevention of Corruption Act. This brings the total number of arrests in the case to eleven. The SIT found that the gold doorframes were dismantled and handed over to Unnikrishnan Potti between May 14 and May 19, 2019—a five-day period when the Thantri was present at the Sabarimala Sannidhanam. Crucial evidence, including phone records and financial transactions, has been obtained to prove the link between the Thantri and Potti.

The investigation revealed that Kandararu Rajeevaru, who was in charge of the Thantri duties in 2004, was the one who brought Unnikrishnan Potti to Sabarimala. Previously arrested former Devaswom officials testified that the Thantri's intervention was responsible for Potti gaining influence at the shrine.

Potti, who is multilingual, used his position to introduce wealthy devotees from other states to the Thantri. Although Potti was ousted from Sabarimala at one point following allegations, he reportedly returned under the guise of a "sponsor" through the Thantri's direct intervention.