The ET GenAI Hackathon 2026 has announced the results of its Idea Submission phase, with the shortlist finalised after evaluating entries from more than 54,000 builders across India. Shortlisted teams now advance to the Prototype Development Phase
The fast-expanding war between the United States, Israel, and Iran has captured global attention largely because it is disrupting oil and gas supplies from the Persian Gulf. Yet another resource is now emerging as far more critical to the survival of the region’s societies. Water
Indian technology stocks have seen an unprecedented rout over the past few weeks over fears of artificial intelligence upending the traditional outsourcing model that powers the country's $300bn (£223bn) back-office industry. The sell-off - part of a global correction in traditional software and
The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) on Monday managed an easy victory in the biennial polls to five Rajya Sabha seats in Bihar, with its candidates including Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and BJP national president Nitin Nabin
Star Brazilian forward Neymar didn’t receive a call-up to the national team squad for the upcoming friendlies against France and Croatia, although striker Endrick found a spot. With this snub, Neymar’s hopes of playing at the upcoming FIFA World Cup have received a massive blow
If one wants to explore the many debates and controversies surrounding the Congress and its role in shaping India’s political trajectory, there may soon be a new address in the capital to turn to. At 3, Safdarjung Lane, the official residence of Nishikant Dubey — the Bharatiya Janata Party MP
Chelsea have been handed a Premier League record fine of £10.75m and a suspended transfer ban. It was a result of the club making secret payments to unregistered agents and third-parties over transfers between 2011 and 2018. But it could have been a lot worse
Iran’s National Security Chief Ali Larijani on Monday penned a note to Muslim countries, questioning their lack of support for Tehran as the US-Israeli war is now entering its third week with no clear end in sight, disrupting global energy supplies and raising fears of a spike in global inflation
SIT moves Kerala HC to cancel bail of tantri in Sabarimala gold loss case
SIT moves Kerala HC to cancel bail of tantri in Sabarimala gold loss case
SIT moves Kerala HC to cancel bail of tantri in Sabarimala gold loss case
SIT moves Kerala HC to cancel bail of tantri in Sabarimala gold loss case
Published on: Mar 13, 2026 1:55 PM IST PTI Share via Copy link Kochi, The SIT probing the alleged misappropriation of gold from Sabarimala temple artefacts on Friday moved the Kerala High Court to cancel the bail of tantri Kandararu Rajeevaru, claiming that the relief granted to him has resulted in a "grave miscarriage of justice". SIT moves Kerala HC to cancel bail of tantri in Sabarimala gold loss case The Court of Enquiry Commissioner and Special Judge , Kollam, had on February 18 granted bail to the tantri, observing that there was not even "an iota of evidence" against him in the cases related to the alleged loss of gold from temple artefacts. The Special Investigation Team is probing the alleged misappropriation of gold from the Dwarapalaka idols and the door frames of the Sreekovil of the temple. Rajeevaru is the 16th accused in the Dwarapalaka case and the 13th accused in the Sreekovil case and the vigilance court had granted him bail in both cases. In its plea filed through Additional Public Prosecutor P Narayanan, the SIT has challenged the bail granted to the tantri in the Dwarapalaka case. P Narayanan said that the bail granted to Rajeevaru in the Sreekovil case will also be challenged in the coming days. Besides cancellation of the tantri's bail, the SIT, in its plea, has also sought expunging of the adverse remarks made by the vigilance court regarding the investigation. It has claimed that the vigilance court granted the relief to the tantri "by ignoring all the facts, circumstances, role played by the respondent and other issues, evidence on record, necessity of further custody and the strong objections raised by the prosecution". It has also claimed that the "unwarranted and unnecessary observations" by the special court will interfere with the ongoing investigation as well. "The impugned order granting bail and the observations therein suffer from serious legal infirmities, overlook material evidence collected during investigation and have resulted in grave miscarriage of justice warranting 'interference by this court," the SIT has said in its plea. In its plea, the SIT has further said that the tantri was, at the relevant time, holding ultimate authority in matters concerning rituals and religious sanctity of the temple and the probe has revealed that he had furnished a typed opinion dated June 18, 2019 agreeing with the proposal of re-plating the gold-cladded artefacts pursuant to an application submitted by Unnikrishnan Potty, the main accused in the cases. The opinion submitted by the tantri formed the basis for the decision of the Travancore Devaswom Board to hand over the artefacts to Potty, the SIT has claimed. It has contended that its probe revealed that the tantri was physically present at the Sannidhanam on July 19, 2019 when the first mahazar was prepared and that he signed the document in which the gold-cladded artefacts were falsely described as mere copper plates, allowing them to be taken out of the temple premises. He did that "despite having definite knowledge that gold cladding work had been conducted in 1998 at the Sannidhanam itself" and did not raise any objection or alert the authorities regarding the "falsity" of the artefact's description, the SIT has said in its plea. Its petition further said that the SIT probe revealed that Rajeevaru "purposefully abstained" from signing the subsequent mahazar dated July 20, 2019 though he was present at the Sannidhanam, "thereby attempting to avoid direct traceability while still facilitating the illegal entrustment and transportation of the sacred artefacts outside the temple premises". "The materials collected during investigation including witness statements, documentary evidence and records clearly indicate active facilitation and willful connivance rather than mere passive silence." "In fact, the 1st accused and other accused persons could not have committed the misappropriation, had there been no active support from the part of the respondent . His clout and influence, being the tantri, enabled the other accused to commit the offences," the SIT claimed. The vigilance court had observed that the case of the SIT regarding criminal conspiracy fails on account of the admitted fact that the petitioner did not sign the crucial mahazar dated July 20, 2019. It had also said that the mere signing of the first mahazar dated July 19, 2019, by itself, in the absence of any other incriminating circumstances, is not a ground to implicate the petitioner at this stage, especially since the mahazar was prepared pursuant to a formal decision of the Board. This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text. Sabarimala Temple Kochi Special Investigation Team Check India news real-time updates, latest news from India, latest at HindustanTime News / India News / SIT Moves Kerala HC To Cancel Bail Of Tantri In Sabarimala Gold Loss Case See LessKochi, The SIT probing the alleged misappropriation of gold from Sabarimala temple artefacts on Friday moved the Kerala High Court to cancel the bail of tantri Kandararu Rajeevaru, claiming that the relief granted to him has resulted in a "grave miscarriage of justice".
The Court of Enquiry Commissioner and Special Judge , Kollam, had on February 18 granted bail to the tantri, observing that there was not even "an iota of evidence" against him in the cases related to the alleged loss of gold from temple artefacts.
The Special Investigation Team is probing the alleged misappropriation of gold from the Dwarapalaka idols and the door frames of the Sreekovil of the temple.
Rajeevaru is the 16th accused in the Dwarapalaka case and the 13th accused in the Sreekovil case and the vigilance court had granted him bail in both cases.
In its plea filed through Additional Public Prosecutor P Narayanan, the SIT has challenged the bail granted to the tantri in the Dwarapalaka case.
P Narayanan said that the bail granted to Rajeevaru in the Sreekovil case will also be challenged in the coming days.
Besides cancellation of the tantri's bail, the SIT, in its plea, has also sought expunging of the adverse remarks made by the vigilance court regarding the investigation.
It has claimed that the vigilance court granted the relief to the tantri "by ignoring all the facts, circumstances, role played by the respondent and other issues, evidence on record, necessity of further custody and the strong objections raised by the prosecution".
It has also claimed that the "unwarranted and unnecessary observations" by the special court will interfere with the ongoing investigation as well.
"The impugned order granting bail and the observations therein suffer from serious legal infirmities, overlook material evidence collected during investigation and have resulted in grave miscarriage of justice warranting 'interference by this court," the SIT has said in its plea.
In its plea, the SIT has further said that the tantri was, at the relevant time, holding ultimate authority in matters concerning rituals and religious sanctity of the temple and the probe has revealed that he had furnished a typed opinion dated June 18, 2019 agreeing with the proposal of re-plating the gold-cladded artefacts pursuant to an application submitted by Unnikrishnan Potty, the main accused in the cases.
The opinion submitted by the tantri formed the basis for the decision of the Travancore Devaswom Board to hand over the artefacts to Potty, the SIT has claimed.
It has contended that its probe revealed that the tantri was physically present at the Sannidhanam on July 19, 2019 when the first mahazar was prepared and that he signed the document in which the gold-cladded artefacts were falsely described as mere copper plates, allowing them to be taken out of the temple premises.
He did that "despite having definite knowledge that gold cladding work had been conducted in 1998 at the Sannidhanam itself" and did not raise any objection or alert the authorities regarding the "falsity" of the artefact's description, the SIT has said in its plea.
Its petition further said that the SIT probe revealed that Rajeevaru "purposefully abstained" from signing the subsequent mahazar dated July 20, 2019 though he was present at the Sannidhanam, "thereby attempting to avoid direct traceability while still facilitating the illegal entrustment and transportation of the sacred artefacts outside the temple premises".
The materials collected during investigation including witness statements, documentary evidence and records clearly indicate active facilitation and willful connivance rather than mere passive silence.
"In fact, the 1st accused and other accused persons could not have committed the misappropriation, had there been no active support from the part of the respondent . His clout and influence, being the tantri, enabled the other accused to commit the offences," the SIT claimed.
The vigilance court had observed that the case of the SIT regarding criminal conspiracy fails on account of the admitted fact that the petitioner did not sign the crucial mahazar dated July 20, 2019.
It had also said that the mere signing of the first mahazar dated July 19, 2019, by itself, in the absence of any other incriminating circumstances, is not a ground to implicate the petitioner at this stage, especially since the mahazar was prepared pursuant to a formal decision of the Board.
This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
Source: HindustanTimes
Related Posts: Kerala High Court Orders SIT Probe Into Missing Sabarimala Gold As Political Storm Erupts SIT questions actor Jayaram in Sabarimala gold case TVK moves SC against Madras HC's SIT probe direction Sabarimala gold loss case Sabarimala gold loss case Kerala Assembly Witnesses Uproar Over Sabarimala Gold-Plating Controversy Sabarimala gold row under scanner Sabarimala gold theft case ED Raids 21 Locations In Sabarimala Gold Smuggling Case Sabarimala gold issue
Nagaon MP Pradyut Bordoloi expressed strong displeasure over Dr. Asif Nazar being considered for the Lahorighat Assembly ticket, citing Nazar's alleged association with an individual charged in an attack on Bordoloi. Bordoloi wrote to AICC General Secretary Jitendra Singh
5 hours ago
A sessions court in Gujarat’s Gir Somnath district on Monday convicted five persons and acquitted 35 others in connection with a 2016 case in which seven Dalits were assaulted in the town of Una, The Indian Express reported. Additional Sessions Judge Jignesh Pandya of the court in Veraval
5 hours ago
It's Hollywood's biggest night. The 98th Academy Awards featured emotional speeches, comical relief and a bevy of backstage fun. But it was perhaps a night to forget for Timothée Chalamet. As well as losing out to Michael B Jordan for best actor and One Battle After Another for best picture
5 hours ago
US President Donald Trump on Monday said more than 30 mine laying ships of Iran have been destroyed which has affected Tehran’s capacity to threaten commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. “We are hammering their capacity to threaten commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz with more
5 hours ago
Love Horoscope Today for March 17, 2026: A spontaneous moment could lead to a meaningful connectionLove Horoscope Today, March 17, 2026: Find daily astrological predictions for all sun signs. Published on: Mar 17, 2026 7:28 AM IST By Neeraj Dhankher Share via Copy link Aries: Mars is pushing you to
5 hours ago
Dubai arrests Iranian drone strike survivors after they sent explosion photos to loved ones3 foreigner nationals who survived drone strike in Dubai have been arrested after sending photos of the explosions to family members. Updated on: Mar 16
5 hours ago
‘Firms need to move to adaptive, energy-efficient AI models’Sarah Hooker is convinced that the future lies in AI systems that use less computing power, cost less to run and can adapt to the needs of users. Published on: Mar 17, 2026 6:58 AM IST By Shweta Taneja Share via Copy link In the last
5 hours ago
Baghdad witnessed a significant drone and rocket attack on the U.S. embassy early Tuesday. This incident marks the most intense assault since the commencement of the U.S.-Israel war with Iran. Iraqi security forces have heightened their presence across the capital. The Green Zone
5 hours ago
Russell Wilson trade update: Chiefs hand a shock to Giants QB with Justin Fields move Published on: Mar 17, 2026 5:03 AM IST By Khushi Arora Share via Copy link New York Giants quarterback Russell Wilson (3) waves to fans after the game against the Dallas Cowboys (IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
5 hours ago
![London [UK], March 17 (ANI): The Premier League has completed a disciplinary process with Chelsea FC in respect of historical breaches relating to Financial](http://newsorbit360.com/files/news/en/imgs/chelsea-fined-and-faces-supended-transfer-ban-by-premier-league.webp?height=520)
London [UK], March 17 (ANI): The Premier League has completed a disciplinary process with Chelsea FC in respect of historical breaches relating to Financial Reporting and Third Party Investment.In 2022, Chelsea FC’s current owners voluntarily reported to the League that they had evidence of
5 hours ago
A Bengaluru-based cafe has drawn attention on social media after adding a 5 per cent “Gas Crisis Charge" to a customer’s lemonade order, sparking debate on social media platform X. The unusual fee, applied on a bill for two mint lemonades, has left many users amused and some questioning its
5 hours ago
Editorial independence is core to our work. Some links may earn us a commission, without influencing our opinions.Still using an older laptop? These Intel 13th Gen laptops show what modern performance feels likeIntel 13th Gen laptops bring improved performance
5 hours ago
US President Donald Trump said on Monday that he is planning to delay a high stakes visit to China later in March by about a month because of the Iran war. "We've requested that we delay it a month or so," he told reporters at the White House
5 hours ago
LDF ally ISJD, UDF ally RSP name candidates for four seats eachThe ISJD and RSP announced their candidates for Kerala Assembly polls, with ISJD's K Krishnankutty retiring from politics and RSP seeking assembly representation. Published on: Mar 17, 2026 7:30 AM IST By Vishnu Varma
5 hours ago
Horoscope Today, March 17, 2026: Operational strategies at work need refinementHoroscope Today: Read the astrological predictions for each zodiac sign based on an expert's guidance on March 17, 2026. Published on: Mar 17, 2026 7:19 AM IST By Dr Prem Kumar Sharma
5 hours ago
Viswanathan Anand has defended Cyprus as the host of the upcoming FIDE Candidates Tournament, saying the island nation offers a high-quality setting for one of chess’ most important events despite concerns over regional tensions. Cyprus has been in focus due to its proximity to the evolving Gulf
5 hours ago
A parliamentary panel has flagged the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment for surrendering nearly a quarter of funds sanctioned for Scheduled Caste welfare schemes. The committee found the ministry's inability to utilize allocated funds and its consistent budget scaling down at revised
5 hours ago
Fino Payments Bank clarifies the ongoing probe relates only to certain programme managers and merchants associated with multiple banks. Also Read :10 people dead after fire breaks out at Odisha’s Cuttack SCB Medical College; CM announces Rs 25 lakh ex-gratia assistanceFino Payments Bank clarifies
5 hours ago
When the daytime air feels like an oven and night brings no relief, people in Karachi, Pakistan, say the heat “goes straight to the head”. They mean more than dizziness or sweat. It’s the creeping panic of a body that cannot cool down: restless nights, frayed tempers, a household on edge
5 hours ago
Dozens of people are feared dead or injured at a drug treatment centre in Kabul, Afghanistan after an air strike that the Taliban government blamed on Pakistan. The hospital was hit on Monday evening, killing some people and injuring others, the government's spokesman said on X
5 hours ago
The report from Elara Capital said retail gasoline and diesel prices “could be fully protected through excise cuts until roughly $110/bbl, beyond which price hikes on diesel and gasoline would become inevitable”. Also Read :Fino Payments Bank Shares Fall To 52-Week Low Amid Probe Reports;
5 hours ago
Shocked Karan Johar reveals his 9-year-old son Yash's ‘business proposal’ as he wants to pay rent to him. WatchKaran Johar and his son Yash had a fun conversation as they discussed a business proposal. Watch their banter here. Mar 17, 2026, 06:00:58 IST By Ananya Das Share via Copy link
5 hours ago
Punjab Assembly session: House passes motion against LoP Bajwa over ‘band player’ remarkThe Punjab assembly condemned opposition leader Partap Singh Bajwa for alleged derogatory remarks about a minister, leading to chaos and a walkout by Congress. Published on: Mar 17
5 hours ago
More than a thousand citizens in Ladakh's Leh and Kargil regions rallied on Monday, echoing calls for statehood and adherence to the Sixth Schedule. Leaders from the Apex Body Leh alongside the Kargil Democratic Alliance expressed their discontent regarding the central government's stance
5 hours ago
Menstrual pain is often dismissed as an inevitable part of being a woman. But when cramps become debilitating, interfere with daily life or are accompanied by chronic pelvic discomfort, they may signal something more serious. One such condition is endometriosis – a long-term disorder affecting
5 hours ago
Khushbu Sundar comes out in support of Trisha amid her viral pics with Vijay: ‘She is one of the most dignified women’Khushbu Sundar has addressed the online chatter surrounding the public appearance of Vijay and Trisha Krishnan, after the divorce petition filed by Sangeeta. Mar 17, 2026
5 hours ago
Rex Culpepper's fiancee pays sweet tribute after tragic bike accident death: ‘I don’t regret' Published on: Mar 17, 2026 4:55 AM IST By Yash Nitish Bajaj Share via Copy link Former Syracuse quarterback Rex Culpepper died after an accident on Saturday (Instagram/Rex Culpepper) Rex Culpepper
5 hours ago
