Even though the Ratna Bhandar has been opened and the ornaments have been shifted to a temporary strong room, the discussions about the possible presence of a secret chamber or a tunnel are yet to die down.
Srimandir Ratna Bhandar Inspection Committee Chief Justice Biswanath Rath said they have recommended the use of the best available technology to ascertain the presence of a secret chamber or a tunnel in the Ratna Bhandar.
“In a bid to put an end to the ongoing discussions about the presence of a secret chamber or a tunnel in the Ratna Bhandar for good, we have recommended the managing committee to use the available technology to find out if there is any secret chamber or tunnel. The managing committee will take it up with the government. If the report is positive, we will proceed. In case of a negative report, we will go for repair,” said Rath.
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“Emphasis will be given to the repair of Ratna Bhandar without affecting the rituals of deities,” said Madhusudan Singhari, a member of the Srimandir Ratna Bhandar Inspection Committee.
On the other hand, Srimandir Ratna Bhandar Inspection Committee member Jagdish Mohanty said since doubts are being raised about theft from Ratna Bhandar, a criminal case can be lodged.
“By making a duplicate key, someone might have attempted to steal something or it might have been his intention to do it. The procurement of a duplicate key suggests ill intention,” said Mohanty.
It is worth mentioning that the date for the inventory of Ratna Bhandar’s ornaments is yet to be fixed.