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Sree Padmanabha Swamy Temple panel demands action against cops for submitting ‘false’ report
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The management committee of Sree Padmanabha Swamy Temple, at a meeting held here on Friday, decided to request the State government to take appropriate action against police officers who submitted a report alleging missing gold artefacts and security lapses at the temple without conducting a proper enquiry or verifying the facts.A high-level police intelligence report submitted earlier to the Home department had pointed to suspected thefts of priceless valuables and major security breaches at the temple. According to the report, nearly 78 grams of gold bars and coins donated by devotees had recently gone missing. The report further said that a multi-tiered gold lamp, which was removed from the temple premises under the guise of maintenance, had not been returned and was instead replaced by a silver substitute without official records. It also said that the sacred ‘Vaira Nama’, an invaluable diamond ornament that was traditionally installed inside the inner sanctum sanctorum, has been missing for the last six months after being purportedly taken away for repair works.Rejects allegationsThe temple management committee said that it had conducted a detailed internal investigation and had ascertained that the so-called “missing” gold, the sacred “Vaira Nama” and the gold lamp ornaments mentioned in the police report were very much inside the sanctum sanctorum of the temple. It said that the temple executive officer, who conducted the internal enquiry, had examined all temple inventory documents and had confirmed that gold coins and other such offerings made by devotees were safe and were accounted for. The committee also said that the police report that certain individuals were entering and exiting the temple without the mandatory security checks was false and baseless.It said that the entry into the temple via the Chempakathinmoodu gate was restricted to the temple priests and members of the erstwhile Travancore royal family. Devotees, temple staff and visitors cannot enter the temple without undergoing security checks by the Kerala PoliceThe committee further alleged that the police officers who prepared the report had failed to consulted either the management committee or the temple authorities. By doing so, they had tarnished the good name and credibility of the temple management committee and the administration, the committee said in a statement. Published - May 30, 2026 11:52 pm IST
HR&CE Minister S. Ramesh during a surprise visit to Tiruchendur Subramanya Swami temple | Ramesh on Friday (May 29, 2026) conducted a surprise inspection at the renowned Tiruchendur Subramanya Swami temple, where a controversy erupted after a priest allegedly demanded money from the Minister for a speedier darshan, reportedly unaware of his identity.It is said that the Minister entered the temple premises alone, wearing a face mask, and casually enquired with the priest about darshan. The priest allegedly demanded a certain amount, following which the Minister’s personal assistant reportedly transferred the money through an online transaction.Later, addressing the media, Mr. Ramesh said the surprise inspection was conducted based on multiple complaints regarding irregularities at the temple.He added that he had visited the temple in the early hours wearing a mask and said he had directly found instances of money being collected from devotees, who were then taken inside for darshan. Noting that both priests and officials were jointly involved in the practice, he said action would be taken against them without any partiality.Responding to the claim that an apology letter had been received from the individual involved in the irregularities, he clarified that only an explanatory letter, submitted as part of the procedure, had been received.Extensive reviewThe Minister added that inspections were also carried out at the ‘annadhana koodam’ (temple dining hall).He stated that further reviews were also undertaken regarding temple properties, disrupted revenue streams, infrastructure and sanitation facilities, and ways to improve faster darshan for devotees.Mr. Ramesh asserted that, based on the inspection report, action would be taken against the individuals, whoever they may be.Responding to a question on whether the priest had demanded cash from him for darshan, he said the inspection was still ongoing and that detailed information would be provided after it was completed.Security personnel removedIn connection with the irregularities, an order dated May 29 has also been issued to remove two security personnel posted at the entrance of Shanmuga Vilasa Mandapam, who allegedly received money from the priest to allow devotees for darshan. The security personnel, both ex-servicemen, were recruited through TEXCO, Tirunelveli. Published - May 29, 2026 03:10 pm IST
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