Thiruvananthapuram has become the epicenter of a fierce political battle following the arrest of Sabarimala temple’s Tantri, Kantaru Rajeevaru, in the high-profile gold theft case. The Pinarayi Vijayan-led LDF government has firmly dismissed opposition claims that the arrest was a politically motivated conspiracy, insisting it was based purely on evidence gathered by the Special Investigation Team (SIT).
Law Minister P. Rajeev addressed the growing uproar in the assembly, rejecting accusations that the government interfered in the probe. ‘The arrest was carried out on solid evidence, and there was no political interference at any stage,’ he asserted, calling the conspiracy theories baseless.
The controversy erupted after Rajeevaru was detained and held in judicial custody for 40 days. In his bail plea, the Tantri alleged that his arrest stemmed from the ruling regime’s resentment over his vocal opposition to women’s entry into the Sabarimala shrine, a stance that had previously ignited statewide protests.
This week, the Kollam Vigilance Court granted him bail, noting in its order that no direct evidence linked him to the theft. The ruling has intensified the political slugfest, with opposition leader V.D. Satheesan demanding a high court-supervised inquiry into the circumstances of the Tantri’s prolonged custody.
Satheesan questioned the exact charges against Rajeevaru and the basis for his arrest, urging the SIT to make details public. He also accused the government of using the case to divert attention from recent allegations against CPI(M) leaders. Pointing to social media posts by ruling party supporters hailing the arrest as the Chief Minister’s ‘achievement,’ the opposition labeled it a blatant politicization of justice.
The opposition had raised concerns as early as January 11, calling for transparency on all accused—whether ministers or temple officials. ‘If wrongdoing is proven, they must face the law, but the public deserves full disclosure,’ Satheesan emphasized, reiterating the demand for judicial oversight.
Although the SIT considered appealing the bail order in the high court, it has now decided against it, reportedly to avoid perceptions of targeting the Tantri. The probe remains under judicial supervision, yet mounting political pressure on the LDF government shows no signs of abating, with the gold theft saga threatening to overshadow other state issues.