VS demands CBI probe into alleged theft in Padmanabha temple

Thiruvananthapuram, Aug 19 (PTI) CPI(M) veteran andformer chief minister V S Achuthanandan today sought a CBIinquiry into the alleged theft of gold articles from thefamous Sree Padmanabha Swamy Temple here. Achuthanandan, in a statement here, said it has beenrevealed that gold, valued at Rs 186 crore, had been stolenfrom the secret treasure vaults of the centuries-old shrine. The Marxist leader said both the Supreme Court appointedamicus curiae and the committee headed by former Comptrollerand Auditor General Vinod Rai had come to the same conclusionthat "gold valuables had been stolen." "In this circumstances, those who are behind the thefthave to be exposed. For this, a CBI inquiry is necessary,"Achuthanandan said. He also pointed out that he had years ago publiclystated about the alleged theft at the shrine. "But, at that time, many people had tried to level falseallegations against me," he said, adding observations by theamicus curiae and a committee headed by the former CAG hadvirtually shut the mouth of these people. There were reports that the committee headed by Vinod Raihad found "abnormal" increase in the expenditure at the templeand gold pots valued at Rs 186 crore had gone missing and thatit had recommended constitution of a panel to probe the"irregularities". One of the richest shrines in south India, the temple isnow under the administration of a committee appointed by theSupreme Court as a case is pending in the court over issuesrelated to its management. The Administrative Committee isheaded by a district and sessions judge. The Padmanabha Swamy temple shot to international fameafter treasures worth crores of rupees were found in thesecret vaults of the temple basement four years ago. PTI LGKJRK BNMNGTRK