Puri: Amid a raging controversy across Odisha over the missing keys of Ratna Bhandar in Puri, the chief ‘Badagrahi’ of Lord Jagannath has claimed that there seems to be something fishy about the whole episode and said a thorough probe will unravel the truth.
Questions were raised over he mysterious disappearance of the keys of Ratna Bhandar (treasury) of the 12th century shrine and subsequent recovery of duplicates in the past, said Jagannath Swain Mohapatra, chief Badagrahi of Lord Jagannath.
Terming the developments relating to the keys as a matter of shame, Mohapatra told media that the keys are not of the same lock of the inner Ratna Bhandar. He also raised questions over the role of the previous state government and the then Puri Collector Arvind Agarwal.
The former Collector was not immediately available for comment.
Claiming that something wrong has apparently taken place, Mohapatra said the truth will come to the fore only through a proper investigation.
He said only after the inner Ratna Bandar is opened again and the valuables are thoroughly examined, it can be ascertained if everything inside the treasury is intact.
A thorough probe must be conducted as it is suspected that something has happened in Ratna Bhandar because of which the keys were allegedly stolen, or hidden or thrown, Mohapatra claimed.
Apart from examining the contents of the almirah and chests, steps should be taken to ascertain where there are some secret rooms inside the inner chamber, he said.
Stating that all the gems, jewelleries and valuables were stored there during the era of kings, he said there should be a thorough examination of the rooms and people should know what all are there inside Ratna Bhandar.
Besides, the internal structure of Ratna Bhandar should be strengthened and repaired for its safety, Mohapatra said.
