Precious valuables missing from Ratna Bhandar? Duplicate keys, unlocked cupboards and chests raise suspicion

Are valuables missing from Ratna Bhandar, the treasure trove of Lord Jagannath of Puri Srimandir? Such questions have now gained momentum after some shocking revelations made by Justice Biswanath Rath, the chairman of the high-level committee constituted by the Odisha government for the inventorisation of jewelleries and other valuables stored in the Ratna Bhandar.

During OTV’s Khola Katha programme, Justice Rath shed light on the entire journey right from the formation of the committee to the opening and subsequent shifting of valuables from the Ratna Bhandar. According to Rath, there was earlier a lot of buzz over the duplicate keys of Ratna Bhandar which had three locks in the inner chamber. However, they only received two keys inside a small sealed cover inside a packet which also had a list of ornaments, he said.

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“A human might think that as it was duplicate keys and hence all the locks would open by these two keys. But none of the locks opened with the keys. As SOP was already ready, we entered Ratna Bhandar by breaking all three locks as the keys did not work,” said Justice Rath.

Ratna Bhandar Keys Were Prepared?

According to Justice Rath, earlier they were given facts about the duplicate keys. “I was certain that only some persons at Buxi Bazaar in Cuttack could prepare such duplicate keys. Hence, I was sure that Ratna Bhandar would not open with these keys. I was almost certain that the keys were ‘prepared’ and these won’t work as attempts in 2018 had also failed. We were prepared to enter the Ratna Bhandar by breaking the locks this time,” recalled Justice Rath.

According to Rath, the list which was found in the packet that contained the ‘duplicate keys’ is said to be of 1978.

“But there is an apprehension over it as it cannot be ruled out that the list was kept in 2018 when the duplicate keys were found. If it was kept in 1978, the original keys would have also been there in the same packet. The then officers of 2018 including Collector, Chief Administrator had claimed that keys were found; and the duplicate keys were in the treasury. There is an apprehension that the seal might have also been prepared in 2018 as well,” said Justice Rath.

Condition Of Ratna Bhandar And First Glimpse Of Idols

As after 1985 Ratna Bhandar was not opened, it was quite natural to imagine the condition of the Ratna Bhandar. The first thing that we saw after worshipping with an earthen lamp were some small idols placed inside the Ratna Bhandar, said Justice Rath.

Valuables Kept Inside Unlocked Cupboards, Chests Inside Ratna Bhandar

During OTV’s Khola Katha programme, Justice Biswanath Rath revealed that one wooden cupboard was locked inside Ratna Bhandar. Though there was provision of locks in two other wooden cupboards, the lock position was not proper. Another iron chest had two lock provisions but one lock was open. Two wooden chests had no locks.

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“In 1978, eminent personalities including the then CM, Governor and others had gone inside Ratna Bhandar. I cannot believe that they would have left the locks open after completion of the inventorisation process,” said Justice Rath.

Committee Needs Men, Machines For Inventorisation Process

Odisha government has clearly stated that the inventorisation process will be taken up as per the 1978 list and an SOP has been prepared.

“We have requested the Odisha government to provide men and machines to identify the ornaments, gemstones and other valuables during the inventorisation process. As a first step, we will prepare a list of the valuables stored inside Ratna Bhandar taking into account the 1978 list and what ornaments are available now. There is apprehension, but I pray that that no property of the Lord is lost. Only after the inventorisation process is completed, things will be clear,” said Rath.