Presence of Ratna Bhandar duplicate key proves attempt or intention to steal: High-level panel member

Puri Srimandir Ratna Bhandar High-Level Committee member Jagdish Mohanty on Monday made an explosive statement regarding the missing Ratna Bhandar key. He said doubts are being raised about the missing key and someone might have attempted to steal valuables from it. 

“You know that the locks of the Ratna Bhandar didn’t open with the keys provided and the locks had to be broken.  From this, one thing has been proved the keys are not the actual keys of the locks of the Ratna Bhandar. In the eye of the law, the intention of stealing, the attempt to steal and the stealing itself are punishable offences. The first two of the three situations have been proved. 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. 

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

“In the coming days when the inventory of the ornaments and valuables will start, what is the crime and who is the accused person would be revealed. The Law Minister has already told that the person behind this would face the music,” he said. 

As there have been doubts over theft from Ratna Bhandar, the matter would be taken up with the state government and a criminal case can be lodged in this regard, he added.