SC bars opening of Padmanabhaswamy Temple vaults

Jul 08, 2011 |

New Delhi

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The Supreme Court today restrained the seven-member committee from opening vaults of the Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple in Thiruvananthapuram, which according to various estimates contains wealth worth over Rs one lakh crore.

A bench of justices R.V. Raveendran and A.K. Patnaik asked the petitioner Raja Marthanda Varma, erstwhile Prince of Travancore, and the Kerala government to come out with appropriate suggestions for ensuring sanctity and security of the ancient temple which has come to the limelight following discovery of the huge wealth.

The apex court while restraining the opening of vault (B) and also the vault (A) posted the matter for further hearing on next Thursday. During the arguments, senior counsel K K Venogopal, appearing for the erstwhile prince, clarified that the temple was a public property and no member of the royal family claims any ownership or right over the huge property. "The royal family is not claiming any ownership.

It is a public temple. It is not claiming any ownership of property. No part of it belongs to any member of the family. The property belongs to Lord Padmanabhaswamy," he told the bench.

The royal family which is the trustee of the temple has challenged the Kerala government's decision to take over the administration of the temple which was earlier upheld by the Kerala High Court. During today's arguments, the bench observed that utmost security should be ensured in and around the temple in view of the discovery of the huge wealth.

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