Police Recover Gold Rod Near Temple Strongroom, Probe Underway
Thiruvananthapuram, May 11 — The gold that was reported missing from the iconic Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple in Kerala has been recovered, police confirmed on Sunday.According to officials, the missing gold, weighing around 12 sovereigns (approximately 96 grams), was found in the form of a 20 cm-long rod. It was discovered during a police inspection on a sandy pathway close to the temple’s strongroom, where it had initially been stored.
The gold was intended for plating work inside the temple and had reportedly been kept securely in a locker after the last round of work was completed two days ago. The disappearance came to light when the gold was accessed again for further use and was found to be missing.
Following the discovery, temple authorities promptly lodged a complaint at the Fort police station in Thiruvananthapuram.
"An inspection led to the recovery of the gold rod near the strongroom, but the circumstances of how it got there are still under investigation," a police officer stated.
The Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple, renowned for its immense wealth and intricate traditions, is considered one of the richest temples in the world. The incident has raised questions about security protocols surrounding the temple's treasures.
The investigation is ongoing to determine whether the gold was misplaced or if foul play was involved.