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Aswathy Thirunal Gowri Lakshmi Bayi, a senior member of the Travancore royal family, reported that ancestral jewellery worth over Rs 2 crore had gone missing from her bedroom
Kowdiar Palace, the official residence of the Travancore royal family, is considered a well-guarded heritage property. (News18 Malayalam)
The investigation into the Rs 2-crore jewellery theft at Travancore Royal Family’s Kowdiar Palace in Kerala has turned inward, with police closely examining palace staff and former employees amid growing suspicion that the culprits had intimate knowledge of the high-security residence.
A case has been registered at Perurkada Police Station following a complaint by Aswathy Thirunal Gowri Lakshmi Bayi, a senior member of the Travancore royal family, who reported that ancestral jewellery worth over Rs 2 crore had gone missing from her bedroom.
Insider Access Under Focus
Preliminary findings suggest the theft may not have been a random breach. Investigators believe it would be difficult for an outsider to access the palace’s interiors — particularly private living quarters — without prior familiarity or assistance.
As a result, police are questioning individuals who currently work at the palace, as well as those who had access to the premises in the past. Officials are mapping access points, staff movement, and internal security protocols to identify potential vulnerabilities.
Jewellery Missing For Months
According to the complaint, the valuables were stored in an iron locker inside a cupboard in the royal member’s bedroom. The jewellery is believed to have gone missing between October and November 2025, though the loss came to light only later when the locker was checked ahead of a planned trip to Bengaluru.
Family members initially suspected the items had been misplaced, but after extensive searches within the palace yielded no results, the police were informed.
Antique, High-Value Ornaments Stolen
The stolen items include several traditional and antique pieces of significant value. Among them are a gold chain studded with orange coral beads, gold and pearl jewellery, anklets in the traditional ‘Pichipu Mottu’ design, and other ornaments featuring black and gold beadwork.
Officials estimate the total value of the missing jewellery at more than Rs 2 crore.
Social Media Videos Give New Lead
Investigators are also probing a possible external link after videos showing the interiors of the palace recently surfaced on social media. Authorities are working to identify who recorded and circulated the footage, and whether it may have aided those behind the theft.
Forensic Teams Examine Evidence
A forensic team, including fingerprint experts and a dog squad, has already conducted inspections in the palace premises. CCTV footage and other technical evidence are being analysed to trace any suspicious movement during the period when the theft is believed to have occurred.
Police officials said the probe is being pursued from multiple angles, but the focus on individuals familiar with the palace remains a key line of investigation in what is emerging as a highly sensitive case involving one of Kerala’s most prominent royal residences.
Kerala, India, India
March 17, 2026, 10:14 IST
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