Thiruvananthapuram, Jan. 9 -- In a major development in the alleged misappropriation of gold from the Sabarimala Lord Ayyappa temple, the Special Investigation Team (SIT) on Friday arrested the temple's Tantri (chief priest), Kandararu Rajeevaru, after subjecting him to prolonged custodial questioning.
The arrest marks a decisive phase in the high-profile investigation, which has drawn statewide attention following serious allegations of loss of gold from the revered hill shrine.
The senior priest was taken into custody and questioned at the SIT office in Kochi in connection with the handling, certification, and documentation of gold items during the controversial gold-plating works carried out at the temple.
According to officials, cust...