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Indian Supreme Court Orders Security for Hindu Temple Treasure Worth Billions

NEW DELHI (AP).- India’s Supreme Court ordered Friday that a security plan be drawn up to protect a Hindu temple where devotees left billions worth of treasures over the centuries. The state of Kerala and the former royal rulers of the region were directed by the court to explain how they plan to safeguard the gold, silver and precious stones that were stored in vaults at the 16th century Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple. The temple, dedicated to the Hindu god Vishnu, was built by the maharajas who ruled the then-kingdom of Travancore. The former royal family has remained the trustees of the temple after India’s independence in 1947. The Supreme Court ordered the inspection of the vaults last week after a lawyer petitioned for the state government to take over the temple, citing inadequate security. The current