The Hindu : Goddess' jewel loses weight, says Mysoora

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Mar 12, 2003

Southern States

Southern States - Andhra Pradesh

Goddess' jewel loses weight, says Mysoora

By Our Special Correspondent

Hyderabad March 11. The Congress leader, M.V. Mysoora Reddy, on Tuesday alleged that a weight difference of over 100 grams existed now regarding "makara thoranam,'' one of the nine jewels of the presiding deity of Sri Kanaka Durga temple at Vijayawada during the 1998 burglary but recovered later, when compared to its stated weight in police reports and that of the Commission of Inquiry which had gone into the issue.

Coming out with a statement on this "finding'' in the Assembly, Mr. Mysoora Reddy, caused a flutter during question time on Tuesday when the issue figured through a question tabled by himself. It may be recalled that the report of the Inquiry Commission was placed before the House only yesterday together with the action-taken report of the Government.

Dr. Reddy said the weight of makara thoranam was shown in all records, including the police FIR and the report of the Inquiry Commission as 243 grams but now it weighed only 124 grams. "Where has the rest of weight, 119 grams, gone?'' he asked, quoting the original donor of the jewel, R. S. Rao.

The Endowments Minister, D. Sivarama Raju, tried to pacify the Congress member with the statement that all jewels, including the makara thoranam, were still in custody of the court where a case was pending. He offered to show them to the member once the court released them after clearing the case. Then, Mr. Reddy could weigh it and verify his charge, he said, causing chuckles in the House.

The other eight jewels as per the Inquiry report with their weights given in the brackets are: kireetam and karnapatrams (572 grams), mangalasutram with stones (16 grams), lakshmi tadu (46 grams), mangalasutram with chain and rupulu (12 grams), champa swaralu (23.16 grams), suryachandras with stones (281 grams), bottu (12 grams) and nattu (5 grams).

In its report, the Inquiry Commission headed by Justice I. Panduranga Rao said the jewels were stolen during the burglary. It pointed out that the watchman, Dayaram Sharma, slept after ringing the bell customarily at 2 a.m. on the fateful day and woke up only at 4.05 a.m. when the principal archaka knocked the doors.

It recommended his removal and departmental action against the former Executive Officer of the temple, G. V. Narasimha Murthy, who, despite directions from the Endowment Commissioner, did not hand over the charge and the jewellery to his successor.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Southern States

Stories in this Section

Fluoride problem: Cong. stages walkout

CM's brother plans parallel rice scheme

Govt. agrees to call floor leaders' meet

Devadula-I by mid-2004, says CM

Centre nod for labour law amendments

Minister puts blame on Cong.

Goddess' jewel loses weight, says Mysoora