Thiruvananthapuram: Devaswom minister K Muraleedharan has stated that the state government will determine further action regarding the reported disappearance of valuable items from Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple after consulting with the home minister. He confirmed that the government has requested a report from the temple's administrative committee, and subsequent actions will be based on that report as well.
Minister Calls for Transparency
Muraleedharan emphasized that all accounts related to the temple must be transparent and expressed that the government has no objection to any form of investigation into the matter. Responding to queries about the temple administration's refusal to disclose details of funds allocated for the digitisation of assets in the famed Vault B, he reiterated that transparency is essential in all matters concerning the temple. He added that while the temple authorities have not made the figures public, the government will disclose them.
Details of Missing Items
According to reports, several valuable items have gone missing over the past six to seven months, including a diamond-studded ornament kept inside the sanctum sanctorum, a gold lamp, and other gold articles weighing approximately 78 grams. Investigators are also examining whether there is any connection between these incidents and a theft reported at Kowdiar Palace, as both cases allegedly occurred during the same period.
Temple Administration Disputes Report
The temple administration has strongly disputed a police report that suggested valuable items had gone missing from the shrine. The administrative committee plans to submit a letter to the state government demanding action against the police officers who prepared the report, claiming that its findings are factually incorrect. The report was submitted by an additional director general of police (ADGP) to the additional chief secretary (home) on behalf of the state police chief.
Recurring Allegations and RTI Controversy
Questions have also been raised over recurring allegations that missing valuables tend to reappear only after complaints are lodged. The controversy has intensified following the temple administration’s refusal to disclose details of government funds provided for the digitisation of asset records in Vault B. The administration maintains that Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple falls outside the purview of the Right to Information Act and is therefore not obligated to release such financial details.
Muraleedharan, however, reiterated that transparency must prevail in all matters concerning the temple and said the government would examine the issue further.
