Attempts were made to photograph the jewellery, possibly to make it available to buyers
Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple. (Photo: File/DC archives)
Thiruvananthapuram: Amicus Curiae Gopal Subramanyam has pointed out that Kallara-B of Sree Padmanabhaswamy temple appeared to have been opened more than once.
In the report submitted to the Supreme Court, he pointed out that there were attempts to photograph the jewellery.
This was not for the purpose of safekeeping but possibly to make available such information to buyers as the royal family did believe that these are personal treasures.
This was when the palace resisted opening of Kallara- B. However, there are eyewitness accounts that a member of the palace and former executive officer, who is no longer alive, had opened the Kallara some years ago. The jewellery in the Kallara consisted of contributions from the erstwhile rulers and also the members of the public.
The amicus curiae, in the course of his inspection over 34 days, discovered certain quantities of gold, silver, ornaments and other valuables which have not been accounted for in the books and accounts or not been disclosed to the High Court or the Supreme Court.
Moreover, the camera installed in the Kanikkai room at a crucial place has been fixed in a stationary position raising safety concerns. Prasadams brought from outside are sold off as temple prasadams, which is against the temple tradition. Priceless mix of herbal spices and condiments used to decorate the Padmanabhaswamy’s idol are sold in black markets.
The evidence for this was collected from the rooms of temple security guards. The report pointed out that the employees had feared to speak out against royal family members.
Findings of Amicus Curiae:
*Certain quantities of gold, silver, ornaments and other valuables have not been accounted for in the books and accounts or not been disclosed to the High Court or the Supreme Court.
*Camera installed in the Kanikkai room at a crucial place has been fixed in a stationary position raising safety concerns.
*Prasadams brought from outside sold off as temple prasadams, which is against the temple tradition.
*Priceless mix of herbal spices and condiments used to decorate the Padmanabhaswamy’s idol sold in black markets.
VS Achuthanandan demands govt reply on amicus curiae report:
Opposition Leader V.S. Achuthanandan has demanded a reply from the state government and Devaswom Minister V.S. Sivakumar on the criticism levelled against the government in the report of amicus curiae Gopal Subramanyam on the Padmanabhaswami temple.
He told reporters here on Saturday that the amicus curiae’s report has vindicated what he had said two-and-a-half years ago when he was the chief minister. “I had made public the information that gold from the temple was being smuggled out in bowls filled with payasam then,” he said.
Mr Achuthanandan suggested a Guruvayur- model administration for the temple. He also alleged that there were attempts to murder a temple staff member by throwing acid on him. This was after the employee made some disclosures against the misdeeds in the temple.
However, the government was not ready to take action against the royal family. He accused the state government of being submissive to the family. The knees of the government shivered in front of the family. Hence the government was responsible for the theft of riches from the temple, he added.
The royal family has misused the donations given by the people on the pretext of religious beliefs, he said. He alleged that some power centres in the government had dishonest tie-up with members of the royal family.
However Justice C S Rajan said that Royals won't steal
Justice C S Rajan has said that he did not feel that the royals would steal the temple wealth. Justice Rajan told Deccan Chronicle that nobody in Thiruvananthapuram would also think so. But, he wanted to know what is the evidence the Amicus Curie had while raising this allegations.
( Source : dc correspondent )
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