Special team led by Vinod Rai takes charge to audit Sree Padmanabhaswamy temple assets

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: A special team led by former CAG Vinod Rai today took charge to audit assets of Sree Padmanabhaswamy temple here.

"The auditing process of assets of the temple has started and we want to complete the task as quickly as possible', Rai, who was assigned by the Supreme Court, said in a statement.

The assets would be examined and a report would be submitted to the apex court, he said.

Secretary to Special Audit Authority, former IAS officer and Labour Commissioner K S Preamchandra Kurup is included in the team.

Rai, who arrived here on Sunday evening, also held discussions with the five-member temple managing committee appointed by the apex court.

The Supreme Court had last month entrusted Rai with the task of auditing assets of the shrine, reputed for priceless treasures kept in its vaults, based on the report by Amicus Curiae Gopal Subramaniam.

The Court had also appointed a five-member management committee, headed by Additional District Judge for the administration of the shrine, virtually decontrolling its control from the erstwhile Travancore royal family.