Petitioner in Padmanabhaswamy temple case dies

Thursday, February 09, 2012: R Padmanabha Iyer, another petitioner in the famous Sree Padmanabhaswamy temple case and who was instrumental in bringing the fabulous temple riches under public scrutiny, died here on Wednesday night.
Iyer was under treatment for heart-related ailments for few years. Iyer along with late T.P. Sundara Rajan, a former IPS officer and lawyer, had worked tirelessly with the intention that the wealth of the famed temple should be assessed. Sundara Rajan died on July 17, 2011 due to age related ailments.
It was a petition filed by Sundara Rajan that led to the Supreme Court directive to open the temple vaults and the subsequent discovery of a treasure trove of gold and other valuables.
Consequent examination of the temple vaults revealed the presence of priceless wealth in the form of gold ornaments and coinage, sparking worldwide interest in Thiruvananthapuram and also a debate as to what to do with the wealth.