Kerala police seek custody of four over theft of utensil used for pooja at Sree Padmanabha Swamy Temple
The police suspect that the accused included three women and the Australian citizen was a practising clinician
by The Hindu Bureau · The Hindu
The Kerala police have sought the custody of four Haryana natives, one of whom is reportedly an Australian citizen, on suspicion of stealing a small vintage brass cauldron used for Pooja purposes at the highly secure and iconic Sree Padmanabha Swamy temple on Sunday.
The crime, which reportedly occurred on Thursday, came to light after a routine audit of items used for regular Pooja. Subsequently, the police verified the video footage from the elaborate security camera network covering every nook and corner of the temple after authorities discovered ancient treasures secreted in its subterranean chambers in 2011.
The police suspect that the accused included three women and the Australian citizen was a practising clinician.
A Kerala police team from Kerala has left for Haryana. Officials suspect that the accused had purloined the vessel after creating a distraction.
Heavy security
The Sree Padmanabha Swamy temple is heavily guarded. Its treasure chambers have been fortified from the inside with blast-proof steel panels.
A seismograph-linked intrusion alarm warns the Police Control Room authorities of any attempt to access the chambers by tunnelling.
No fly zone
The Union Government has declared the temple a no-fly zone. Retractable bollards and pill boxes provide additional security to the temple.
A 250-member police team, including a detachment of the Thunderbolts, Kerala police department’s Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) team, guard the temple round-the-clock. Visitors must provide identity proof at the reception and be thoroughly checked before being allowed into the temple. Door frame-fitted metal detectors guard the temple’s various entrances.
Published - October 20, 2024 09:56 am IST