Open Vault B of Padmanabhaswamy Temple: Panel

New Delhi: The Vault B of Kerala’s Padmanabhaswamy Temple should be opened, the Supreme Court appointed expert committee said in its report, submitted to the court on Thursday.

As per reports, the panel is of the view that the secret vault must be opened and the treasure supposedly kept inside valued. The panel has also citied security concerns for the need to ascertain the contents of the vault. 

Importantly, the Travancore royal family, who have been the custodians of the temple since ages, had told the court that Vault B should not be opened and the treasures unearthed earlier not videographed or photographed as it was against the temple traditions and practices.

The treasure trove of precious jewels is estimated to be worth more than Rs.1 lakh crore. The court is expected to take up the matter for hearing tomorrow.

In all there are six vault in the temple of which five have been opened based on a petition filed by a former Indian Police Service (IPS) official TP Sunderarajan and it was in July that the Supreme Court appointed committee stumbled upon the treasure from the vault A which was unopened for more than 150 years.

Sunderarajan passed away suddenly on July 17 after brief illness.