Overview
- Police recorded the arrest of Tantri Kandararu Rajeevaru on Friday after custodial questioning, with the case proceeding under Kerala High Court supervision.
- The SIT’s remand report accuses him of conspiracy, misappropriation, illicit enrichment and abuse of power under the Prevention of Corruption Act, treating him as a public servant due to his paid tie to the temple board.
- Officials allege he maintained a long association with prime accused Unnikrishnan Potti, gave “silent permission” for 2019 replating outside the temple, and recommended key artefact work.
- The Enforcement Directorate has registered an ECIR under the PMLA by consolidating two SIT charge sheets, moving to trace suspected proceeds of crime and examine assets linked to Potti, jeweller Govardhan and factory owner Pankaj Bhandari.
- Investigators say gold was chemically separated at Chennai’s Smart Creations, with the factory owner and a Bellary jeweller arrested, while the missing gold remains publicly unaccounted for.