The Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD).
Credit: PTI Photo
Hyderabad: Even as the ongoing mystery regarding the alleged use of ghee adulterated with animal fat in the preparation of the sacred Tirupati laddu prasadam remains unresolved the 'quick closure' of a theft case last year in Parakamani, where offerings from devotees in the Hundi to the Tirumala temple are counted, has raised eyebrows.
A report from the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) Vigilance seen by DH, indicates that 'extreme pressure' was exerted by the police on the then Parakamani vigilance security officer, leading the issue to be settled in Lok Adalat.
In April of last year, a staff member from Parakamani, representative of Pedda Jeeyangar Mutt, who was responsible for handling foreign currency, was caught stealing US dollars equivalent to Rs 72,000 offered by devotees, concealed in his buttocks.
The TTD Vigilance Department subsequently filed a complaint with the local police which was immediately compromised and settled in the Lok Adalat.
The report further revealed that intriguingly immovable properties, including lands and buildings in Tirupati and Chennai, belonging to the accused Parakamani staff member and his wife, were donated to TTD after the title deeds were deposited with TTD.
Interestingly, the accused employee had donated an impressive total of 14 two-bedroom and three-bedroom flats in Tirupati, all valued in crores of rupees in the open market, to TTD.
It is suspected that many other properties owned by him may have been transferred to the police and key members of the then TTD Board. It is believed that the staff member had acquired these properties by stealing the foreign currency he had repeatedly stolen from Hundi collections over the years.
Offerings to Lord Sri Venkateswara, the presiding deity of Tirumala, carry sentimental significance. The Parakamani of Lord Sri Venkateswara functions in the New Parakamani complex atop Tirumala hill shrine, wherein the activity of counting and segregating various Hundi items, which include gold, silver, precious stones, cash, including foreign currency, takes place.
The officers of TTD, including the superintendent, assistant executive officer (AEO), and deputy EO, supervise the staff as they count and segregate the Hundi items, a highly sensitive activity.
As is customary, the representative, a clerk of Pedda Jeeyangar Swamy Mutt, Tirumala, will also supervise this activity.
TTD's assistant vigilance and security officer, Y Satish Kumar, reported to Tirupati One town police that they caught the clerk of Pedda Jeeyangar Swamy Mutt, C V Ravi Kumar, hiding a wad of currency notes bundled and kept in between two of his buttocks on the evening of April 29, 2023.
During investigation, the stolen currency notes were recovered from the culprit and a charge sheet was also filed on April 30, 2023, in the court of Addl. Judicial Magistrale of First Class, Tirupati.
Flagging the issue, TDP MLC Bhumireddy Ramgopal Reddy in July this year had demanded a CID probe after which TTD had ordered a vigilance inquiry. The vigilance inquiry report was submitted to TTD in July end.
“The above seven properties amounting to several crores of rupees were gifted to TTD by Ravi Kumar and his wife by means of letter May 19, 2023, in which both Ravi and his wife have signed saying that, the above property was donated to Lord Venkateswara Swamy out of their pure devotion and this subject matter is with Revenue Department of TTD, Tirupati,” said the vigilance report accessed by DH.
Meanwhile, this case was disposed off in the court of law by means of Lok Adhalath settlement in which the complainant Satish Kumar, AVSO, and the accused Ravi Kumar appeared in the court on September 9, 2023, mentioning the court that, they both effected compromise.
“Compromise was affected keeping in view of sensitivity involved, as the matter pertains to the prestigious and divineness connected to the mutt of His Holiness Sri Peddajiyangar. Therefore, the case was also disposed off in the court of law without any conviction,” said the report.
The vigilance report further said, “It is pertinent to mention that, on being asked Satish Kumar, AVSO, who is now working in PAT, TTD, Tirupati stated that, under the extreme pressure from the police, he effected compromise in the court of law in this case. It is not known, as to why the police excreted pressure upon the TTD AVSO. However, is to mention that Satish Kumar is one of the good officers having sound integrity, hardworking, sincere and-devoted officer towards TTD work,” said the Vigilance Report submitted by Vigilance and security officer, M Giridhar Rao to TTD's Chief VSO.
"A massive scam occurred in SriVari Parakamani during the YSRCP regime. Ravikumar stole foreign currency worth Rs 200 crore. He was caught stealing cash from the hundi in April 2023 itself. A vigilance inquiry was also conducted on this matter. The accused was released due to pressure from some government officials. There are doubts about the vigilance report stating that a compromise was reached in the Lok Adalat. An inquiry commission should be set up on the theft in Parakamani. A sitting judge should investigate the irregularities and uncover the truth," said TTD Board member, G Bhanu Prakash Reddy.