It appears the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams is trying to hush up the theft of foreign currency by a mutt clerk at Parakamani (currency counting centre) of Tirumala temple during the regime of previous YSR Congress party government.
Such is the indifference of the TTD management that it has failed to submit its affidavit in the court detailing the theft of currency.
On Friday, the Andhra Pradesh high court expressed severe displeasure over the indifferent attitude of the TTD in filing the counter affidavit.
During the hearing, the Crime Investigation Department (CID) submitted its preliminary investigation report and details of files seized from the temple premises.
But there was no explanation from the TTD on how the theft took place and how it had compromised with the accused in Lok Ayukta and closed the case.
The high court admonished TTD officials for their indifference in the matter and directed the Executive Officer (EO) of TTD to appear before the court on October 27.
The court further warned that a penalty of Rs 20,000 would be imposed if the officer failed to comply.
The TTD’s counsel requested additional time to file the counter, following which the bench adjourned the case to October 27.
The case dates back to 2023, when a theft was reported in the Parakamani section during the previous YSRCP government.
Allegations surfaced that a staff member named Ravi Kumar had misappropriated a large quantity of offerings.
Despite a complaint reaching the vigilance wing that year, then-TTD officials allegedly compromised the issue through the Lok Ayukta instead of pursuing a full-fledged probe.
Recently, a petitioner named Srinivasulu approached the high court seeking a reinvestigation into the case.
Acting on the plea, the high court ordered a CID inquiry, following which several internal records were seized from the TTD’s Parakamani.
The next hearing will determine the accountability of TTD officials for their handling of the theft.