India, Jan. 10 -- The Special Investigation Team probing the Sabarimala gold loss case on Friday arrested chief priest Kandararu Rajeevaru, citing his close links with prime accused Unnikrishnan Potty and his role in recommending the controversial replating of the Dwarapalaka and Sreekovil gold plates at the Lord Ayyappa temple. The SIT probe is monitored by the Kerala High Court.

Thanthri Rajeevaru, who held a position of supreme religious and ritualistic authority at the Lord Ayyappa shrine, was questioned at an undisclosed location in the morning and later shifted to the SIT office in the afternoon, where his arrest was formally recorded, said officials.

According to officials, the arrest was made based on statements given by the pri...