The Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the Sabarimala gold theft has expanded the scope of its investigation to include the replacement of the temple’s flagpole.
The SIT and the Devaswom Vigilance Department have started a detailed investigation into the matter as per the directions of the Kerala High Court.
The flag staff at the Sabarimala temple was replaced in 2017, during Prayar Gopalakrishnan’s tenure as the president of the Travancore Devaswom. The decision was then made because the old flagpole had deteriorated significantly due to wear and tear.
The SIT received information regarding the mast replacement after recording the statements of several people associated with senior Tantri (head priest) Kandararu Rajeevaar, who was arrested and charged with criminal complicity and conspiracy in the “dishonest misappropriation” of the temple’s gilded religious artefacts in 2019.
After changing the flagpole, the ‘vaji vahanam’ (image of a horse) which was part of the flagpole was handed over to the chief priest. However, the Devaswom Vigilance investigation could not ascertain the whereabouts of the accompanying Ashtadikpalaka idols.
The SIT raided the head priest’s residence in Chengannur and recovered “vaji vahanam”, who has since been taken into custody as part of the investigation. The SIT subsequently presented the seizure mahazar of the seized item to the Kollam Vigilance Court.
Meanwhile, former Devaswom board member Ajay Tharayil told reporters that the ‘vaji vahanam’ belonged to the head priest and was handed over as per established customs and traditions.
He added that the documents available to the Devaswom board indicate that the effigy is the rightful property of the head priest.
He also said that all the other components of the old flagpole, including the gold-plated decorative umbrellas and Ashtadikpalaks, have been moved to the vault room. In this connection, a mahazar was prepared and subsequently a report was submitted to the High Court.
However, he said he was not aware if all of these items were currently in the vault. Mr. Tharayil claimed that he was ready to face any inquiry in this regard.
Published – 14 Jan 2026 20:38 IST
