Temple Treasure: KKV attacks Gopal Subramanium’s amicus report, J. Lodha objects

If the discovery of vast riches in the secret vaults of Padmanabha Swamy Temple in the southern tip of the country was a story straight out of fairy tale book, the battle in the Supreme Court yesterday between veteran senior lawyers has added more spice to the story.

Court room 2, where the hearing took place, was witness to much drama as Senior Advocate KK Venugopal representing the Travancore Royal family in the case, sought to attack the 575 page report submitted by amicus curiae and Senior Advocate Gopal Subramanium. The matter is being heard by a Special Bench comprising Justices RM Lodha and AK Patnaik.

Subramanium, after a 35-day study of the temple and its affairs, had submitted a scathing report indicting a number of individuals for the mismanagement of the temple and the treasure. According to the report, Subramanium “discovered certain quantities of gold, silver and other valuables (which have not been accounted in the books and accounts nor even disclosed to the Hon’ble High Court or to this Hon’ble Court).” The report further states that,

“It was his [Amicus’] morning ritual of shutting his mind and seeking guidance which resulted in discoveries in this direction.”

In the report, Subramanium also recounts his 35 days in Trivandrum “as filled with Bhava and Rasa of being able to seek God and participate in some of the functions of the temple.”

The hearing yesterday largely revolved around cleaning of the temple pond and the safe custody of the keys of the vaults. Subramanium suggested handing over the keys to the District judge to which Venugopal consented. The Kerala government, represented by Additional Solicitor General KV Vishwanathan expressed the readiness of the State government to clean the pond.

As the hearing drew to a close, Venugopal, who had initially sought time to study the long report and make his submissions, attacked the report on the ground that Subramanium’s personal beliefs has influenced the report. He sought to read out parts of the report indicating Subramanium’s beliefs. Justice Lodha, however, strongly objected to the same and said that Subramanium had come to the aid of court on the request of the court and that it will not allow such personal attacks on the amicus.

The Court has taken a serious note of the findings of the amicus and is likely to pass an interim order today.