Police report flags security lapses and mismanagement of valuables at Sree Padmanabhaswamy temple

T'puram: A confidential police report submitted to the state govt 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.

The report, submitted by the state police chief to the home department on May 15 and accessed by TOI, 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.

According to the report, around 78g of gold bars and coins offered by devotees over recent months were found missing. 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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. 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.