Kerala government mulls further action over missing valuables at Sree Padmanabhaswamy temple

T'puram: Devaswom minister K Muraleedharan has said that the state govt would decide on further action regarding the reported disappearance of valuable items from Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple in the state capital after consultations with the home minister. He said that the govt has sought a report from the temple’s administrative committee and the action would be based on that report as well.

Muraleedharan emphasized that all accounts related to the temple should be transparent and stated that the govt had no objection to any form of investigation into the matter.

Responding to questions over the temple administration’s refusal to disclose details of funds allocated for the digitisation of assets in the temple’s famed Vault B, Muraleedharan said transparency was essential in all matters concerning the temple. He added that while the temple authorities had not made the figures public, the govt would disclose them.

According to reports, several valuable items, including a diamond-studded ornament kept inside the sanctum sanctorum, a gold lamp, and other gold articles weighing approximately 78g, have gone missing over the past six-seven months. 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.

Meanwhile, 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 govt 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.

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 govt 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 govt would examine the issue further.