SC-appointed panel wants a year to count Padmanabha riches

Thiruvananthapuram, Sept 6: The Supreme Court appointed panel looking into the security, inventory and evaluation of the massive riches that has emerged out of the Padmanabhaswamy temple in Kerala, is seeking a time frame of one year to count the whole treasure. The facts were revealed in a report submitted by the panel before the SC. They have also sought a cost of Rs 2.80 crore towards the whole exercise.

The cost incureed is expected towards the preparation of the inventory, salary of the employees involved in the counting of the wealth, photography/videography charges and towards maintaining the security of the treasure trove. [Read: Padmanabhaswamy temple jewellery stolen, damaged]

The riches recovered from the five underground cellars had evoked curiosity and intrigue in devotees and others across India. The find had catapulted the temple as one of the richest in the country. The report also pointed out that public interest was supreme in the upkeep of the temple wealth.

With the devaprashnam (astrological ritual to ascertain the deity's will) barring the opening of the controversial B vault, the panel emphasised that in spite of it they will abide by the orders of the apex court in this regard. A row had erupted earlier when it was found that the present royal custodian of the temple treasure Uthradam Tirunal Marthanda Varma (Maharaja of Travancore) had in fact opened the B vault in 2007. He had also issued a warning citing divine wrath if this particular cellar was opened against the deity's wishes.

But with the sentiments flaring between the panel and members of the royal family, the Supreme Court bench comprising of Justices RV Raveendran and AK Patnaik on Sept 2, spoke sternly of the Travancore royal family's act and said, "When we have asked the committee (appointed by the court) to decide on the opening of 'kallara B" (vault B), is it open to the committee to outsource it to others and seek 'Devaprasnam"? The change of stand by the royal family every now and then is not right, particularly when we have passed orders after hearing you."

OneIndia News