A confidential police report submitted to the Kerala state government has flagged serious security lapses and alleged mismanagement of valuables at the historic Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple, raising fresh concerns over the safety of treasures at one of the wealthiest temples in the country.
Key Findings of the Report
The report, submitted by the state police chief to the home department on May 15 and accessed by Times of India, cites grave security concerns and a lack of accountability in the handling of temple valuables during recent inquiries. At the centre of the findings is the alleged disappearance of gold offerings and the unexplained removal of key temple ornaments without official documentation.
Missing Gold Offerings
According to the report, around 78 grams of gold bars and coins offered by devotees over recent months were found missing. This has raised alarms about the safety of offerings made by devotees at the temple.
Unexplained Replacement of Ornaments
In another startling observation, a multi-tiered gold lamp that had allegedly been removed for maintenance is no longer inside the temple premises and has reportedly been replaced with a silver substitute, without any official records explaining the change.
Disappearance of Vaira Nama
The report also points to the disappearance of 'Vaira Nama', a traditional ornament installed inside the sanctum sanctorum. Police sources noted that the ornament has allegedly been absent for nearly six months after being removed in the name of repairs.
Security Protocol Bypassed
The findings emerged from an intelligence communication sent by the additional director general of police (Intelligence), which was forwarded by the state police chief to the additional chief secretary, home department, for further action. The report further exposes what it describes as a systematic bypassing of security protocols at the temple. Several individuals, including temple employees, security staff and persons allegedly linked to the royal family, were said to have been entering and exiting the temple through the Chembakathummoodu entrance without undergoing mandatory security screening.
Individuals Named in the Report
Among those named in the report are Ganapathy V Iyer, identified as the owner of Prashanthi Uniforms; Rajesh Kazhakkoottam; Arun alias Jim Arun; Kottukal Shaiju; Padmesh Parasuraman; and Ashok, an employee of Indigo at Thiruvananthapuram airport. The report states that these individuals are considered close to Sri Aditya Varma and are also frequent visitors to Kowdiar Palace.
Security Vulnerabilities
Police authorities warned that unrestricted access and unchecked movement inside the temple complex posed a major security vulnerability, especially in a shrine that houses invaluable treasures and attracts massive crowds daily.
Recommendations for Corrective Measures
The report has recommended urgent corrective measures, including immediate shifting of all gold, silver and valuables currently kept outside secured vaults — including those stored in the treasurer’s office and vehicle sheds — to a centralised strong room. It also called for strict documentation of all offerings received from devotees and recommended round-the-clock police surveillance over lockers and storage areas containing valuables.
Zero Tolerance Policy
In a strong recommendation, the police report insisted on zero tolerance towards security bypasses, stating that every individual entering the temple, irrespective of status or affiliation, must undergo standard screening procedures.
Government Response
Responding to the report, home minister Ramesh Chennithala said on Wednesday that further action on the report would have to be taken by the special committee concerned and the devaswom department. Chennithala added that he had discussed the matter with the devaswom minister, who would explain the remaining details.
