A bench of justices R V Raveendran and A K Patnaik asked the ROYAL FAMILY OF TRAVANCORE and the Kerala government to MAKE OUT AND PREPARE SOME SUGGESTIONS FOR THE SAFETY AND SANCTITY OF THE ANCIENT TEMPLE WHERE HUGE WEALTH HAS BEEN FOUND RECENTLY.

There are six vaults in Sree Padmanabhaswamy temple from A to F and only vault B is yet to be opened. The apex court ordered that vault B should not be opened for stock taking till July 15. The apex court while restraining the opening of vault (B) posted the matter for further hearing on next Thursday.

THE ROYAL FAMILY WHICH IS THE TRUSTEE OF THE TEMPLE HAS CHALLENGED THE KERALA HIC DECISION WHICH UPHELD THE STATE’S CLAIMS TO TAKEOVER THE TEMPLE ADMINISTRATION.

During the arguments, senior counsel K K Venogopal, appearing for the erstwhile prince, ARGUED THAT THE TEMPLE IS A PUBLIC PROPERTY AND THE ROYAL FAMILY IS JUST A TRUSTEE AND THE MEMBERS OF THE ROYAL FAMILY DON’T CLAIM ANY OWNERSHIP OF RIGHT OVER THE PROPERTY AND THE property belongs to Lord Padmanabhaswamy.

During Friday’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. The treasures found from cellars of the temple are estimated to be around Rs 1 lakh crore.

The apex court’s directions had come during the hearing of a petition by the heir of erstwhile prince of Travancore Raja Rama Varma, challenging a Kerala high court ruling of January 31 this year, ordering takeover of the assets and management of the shrine by the state.

SC HALTS OPENING OF VAULTS OF SREE PADMANABHASWAMY TEMPLE

REPORT BY BIKRAM SINGH RANA