Trivendrum: A caretaker heritage of wealth found in Kerala’s dynastic (Verma family) temple of Sri Anantha Padmanabha Swamy contains over Rs.1.5 lakh crores of gold/silver valuable and cash (coins/notes) which need to be taken good care of. At a time when Kerala High Court had asked the state govt., to oversee and guard the historic temple and its generational wealth gifted by kings and common devotees, the Marthanda Verman family appealed to Supreme Court to make other arrangements even as attendants (Dasas) of God in question. The Supreme Court went into the enquiry about the holy temple (which was the first in India to admit even lowly caste people into the temple precincts as early as 1930 decade), and appointed a five member experts caretaking committee on Wednesday (July 21) headed by the Director General of National Museum, C.V Ananda Bose. There are representatives from Reserve Bank of India, and the Archeological Survey of India (Department). The SC has strictly told this Experts Overseeing Committee to report to no one else but the Supreme Court only.
The SC order was issued on July 21 by a bench of Justice Ravindran R.V and Justice A.K Patnayak, which also formed a 3-men committee to look after the ancient temple’s wealth after a full search of all hidden/safe-keeping treasures underground.
The SC criticized media reports on Temple’s wealth as imaginary and over-estimated, while asking newsmen to exercise caution and control over emotions.
The 3 member committee on wealth matters is headed by former Kerala High Court Justice M.N Krishnan with Travancore Royal Family chief Raja Marthanda Verma and a representative of the level of Govt. secretary as other members. Unauthorized persons are forbidden to go near the treasures while counting takes place. The entire scenery will be video-photographed, the SC urged.