Thiruvananthapuram- The arrest of Sabarimala temple tantri Kantaru Rajeevar in the gold heist case marks a decisive escalation in an investigation that is steadily moving up the institutional ladder.
What initially began as a probe into a sensational theft linked to one of Kerala’s most revered temples has now entered politically sensitive territory, fuelling speculation over whether the investigation could eventually reach a minister.
By arresting a figure traditionally regarded as beyond the scope of routine criminal scrutiny, the Special Investigation Team (SIT) has crossed a major psychological and symbolic threshold. Investigators are believed to have acted with extreme caution, avoiding any public disclosure of the tantri’s alleged involvement until he was taken into custody, highlighting the sensitivity surrounding the case.
So far, 13 individuals have been arrested, strengthening the assessment that the crime was carried out by a well-organised network rather than isolated individuals.
The probe widened further on Friday after the Enforcement Directorate registered a money laundering case under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), paving the way for scrutiny of financial trails and potential attachment of assets.
Political attention has sharpened amid persistent allegations by Leader of the Opposition V.D. Satheesan, who has repeatedly claimed that the involvement of CPI-M MLA and former Devaswom Minister Kadakampally Surendran in the case is “very clear.”
Surendran has strongly denied the allegation and has filed a defamation suit against Satheesan, which is currently pending before a court in the state capital.
Reacting to the tantri’s arrest, State Police Chief Ravada Chandrasekhar clarified that the Kerala Police has no direct role in the investigation, stating that the SIT is operating under the guidance and supervision of the Kerala High Court.
Meanwhile, current Devaswom Minister and senior CPI-M leader V.N. Vasavan declined to comment on the development. When questioned, Vasavan said he had “nothing to say” and walked away, a response that has further fuelled political speculation.
With Kerala moving into a pre-election phase, any development involving a serving or former minister could have far-reaching political consequences. While there is no official confirmation that a minister is under investigation, the arrest of the tantri has significantly altered perceptions of how far the probe may go — from ritual authority to the corridors of political power.
With inputs from IANS