Indian Maharaja ‘stole’ gold from treasure trove

India: An Indian Maharaja has been accused of stealing gold from what is believed to be the world’s greatest treasure trove discovered in an ancient Hindu temple earlier this year. The head of the Travancore royal family Maharaja Uthradam Thirunal Marthanda Varma regularly stole priceless jewellery and coins from the temple’s treasure trove, which is estimated to be worth 14 billion, according to former temple employees and Kerala’s former chief minister.

Archaeologists discovered gold figures, antique coins and jewels in a secret vault at Thiruvananthapuram’s Lord Padmanabhaswamy Temple in southern India in July.

According to Kerala’s former chief minister and current opposition leader V. S. Achuthanandan, the maharaja regularly removed gold coins from the temple during his morning prayers.

Several employees including temple security guards had reported the “thefts” to him, he said, and some of those who complained were removed from temple duties.

He said he will now bring the allegations before India’s Supreme Court and ask the temple authorities to explain their dismissals, he said.

“It is known public that Sree Padmanabha Swamy Temple has invaluable treasure. There were complaints that the assets of Sree Padmanabha Swamy temple were lost. Petitions were received alleging that ex-Army officers who tried to prevent theft of the temple assets were even terminated from the service,” he said. Daily Telegraph