Sources said the SIT had summoned Tantri Kandararu Rajeevaru and Tantri Kandararu Mohanaru to the Kerala Crime Branch office at Enchakkal, Thiruvananthapuram, and recorded their statements.
File Photo: IANS
In a significant development in the Sabarimala gold loot case, the SIT on Wednesday recorded the statements of two ‘tantris’ (chief priests) of the temple, Kandararu Rajeevaru and Kandararu Mohanaru.
Sources said the SIT had summoned Tantri Kandararu Rajeevaru and Tantri Kandararu Mohanaru to the Kerala Crime Branch office at Enchakkal, Thiruvananthapuram, and recorded their statements.
Advertisement
The tantric reportedly told the SIT that they allowed the removal of the gold-plated Dwarapalaka sculptures and door frames solely because officials directed them to do so. They maintained that they had never authorised transporting temple idols or gold-plated panels to Chennai for gold plating or renovation work, stating that their permission was only for minor repairs at the Sabarimala premises.
Advertisement
They emphasised that their role was limited to granting approval for matters considered appropriate under temple rituals.
The priests acknowledged knowing Unnikrishnan Potty, the prime accused in the case , but maintained they acted solely on the information provided by the administrative officials regarding the tarnished condition of the sculptures.
Meanwhile, the Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the Sabarimala gold loot case, has on Wednesday obtained the police custody of former Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) president and CPM leader A. Padmakumar for further questioning.
The SIT had on Wednesday produced M Padmakumar before the Special Vigilance court , Kollam. The court remanded Padmakumar in SIT custody till Friday for detailed interrogation.
Padmakumar’s police custody is causing concern for the ruling CPM in the state . The CPM is finding itself in a precarious position as the local body elections are just two weeks away.
The CPM leadership is apprehensive about the potential political fallout, particularly regarding Padmakumar’s earlier statement that he acted on an application forwarded by the government. If Padmakumar stands by this testimony during custodial interrogation, the investigation could extend to former Devaswom Minister Kadakampally Surendran.
Advertisement
