Vault B: Talks with royal family today

Government will go only by court verdict, says Minister

July 09, 2017 07:11 pm | Updated July 10, 2017 09:27 am IST - Kozhikode

The Sree Padmanabha Swamy Temple in Thiruvananthapuram, which is in the news following the discovery of ancient treasures in its subterranean vaults.

The Sree Padmanabha Swamy Temple in Thiruvananthapuram, which is in the news following the discovery of ancient treasures in its subterranean vaults.

The reason behind the opposition of the royal family of erstwhile Travancore against the opening of Vault B at the Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple on the basis of a Supreme Court reference will be discussed with them on Monday for more clarity, Devaswom Minister Kadakampally Surendran has said. Addressing reporters here on Sunday, Mr. Surendran said the resistance of the royal family could be a part of their long practice of custom and rituals at the temple, where the government would not be able to cast any independent remark. “Our actions will be based on the final verdict of the Supreme Court considering the Amicus Curie’s report,” he said.

‘VS’ views personal’

Asked about the statement of veteran Communist Party of India (Marist) leader V.S. Achuthanandan that several valuables kept in secret volts were previously carted away from the temple, Mr. Surendran said it was purely based on the personal conviction of Mr. Achuthanandan. “I have no such view yet and I still believe that the royal family has made valuable contributions to the growth of Thiruvananthapuram,” he said.

“In a democratic system, the royal family too has the right to express their stance. We have no soft-corner for them and so far we acted only on the basis of court verdicts on the subject,” said Mr. Surendran.

The Amicus Curie’s report in the Supreme Court underscored that the Vault B had already been opened five times and definitely the court would consider such facts ahead of the final verdict, which would be executed as such by the government, he said.

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