Thiruvananthapuram: A major security lapse was reported at the Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple on Monday after a 66-year-old man from Gujarat was arrested for secretly recording video footage inside the highly secured shrine using a hidden camera embedded in glasses.

The man, identified as Surendra Shah, a businessman from Ahmedabad, entered the temple premises around 4 pm along with his wife and four other women, including sisters. Despite the temple's strict ban on electronic devices, he managed to carry a smart glass camera, which reportedly had a memory card and was connected to his mobile phone.

Shah was apprehended at around 6:30 pm after temple security personnel noticed a flashing light on his spectacles while he was in the Otakkal Mandapam, located directly in front of the sanctum sanctorum. When questioned, Shah admitted he was recording the video out of "curiosity."

He was immediately handed over to Fort Police, who formally recorded his arrest. The hidden camera glasses and mobile phone were seized for forensic examination. Authorities have confirmed that footage of individuals entering the temple was found on the device.

Fort Inspector Shivakumar stated that Shah had been instructed to appear for further questioning. Preliminary police findings suggest no signs of a larger conspiracy, though a detailed forensic report is awaited. 

Security concerns at the temple under scrutiny

The incident has brought to light serious deficiencies in the temple’s security arrangements, particularly concerning staffing and outdated surveillance infrastructure.

The Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple, which reportedly holds assets valued at over Rs 1 lakh crore, currently has 197 security personnel, but at least 30 posts, including that of the Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) in charge of temple security, remain vacant. The DCP position has been unfilled since May, with a temporary charge given to an officer at city police headquarters.

Security checks are also under strain due to understaffing. Crucial positions such as sub-inspectors and women police officers remain vacant, affecting perimeter and internal screening.

Moreover, security equipment at the temple has not been upgraded in years. Only basic metal detectors are in use, and modern scanning tools capable of detecting concealed electronic devices have yet to be installed. Police sources claim repeated requests to the temple management and executive officer for upgraded tools and new equipment have gone unanswered.

While a few CCTV cameras were installed under the Swadesh Darshan scheme, reports indicate irregular maintenance and insufficient coverage, evident from the fact that Shah was able to roam the premises for over two hours before being caught.

The breach has sparked fresh concerns over the security of one of India’s wealthiest and most sacred temples, raising calls for urgent action to modernise its surveillance and staffing.