In a significant development, the Director General of Police for Andhra Pradesh’s Criminal Investigation Department (CID), Ravishankar Ayyanar, officially seized critical documents on Tuesday. These files are central to the ongoing investigation into the alleged theft of foreign currency from the ‘Hundi’ donation box at the revered Lord Venkateswara temple in Tirumala. This decisive action by the CID follows sharp criticism from the Andhra Pradesh High Court, which chastised the state’s police for their perceived negligence and sluggishness in handling the probe and failing to secure crucial evidence promptly.
Speaking to reporters, Dr. Ayyanar confirmed the CID’s possession of several vital pieces of evidence, including resolutions from the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) Trust Board, compromise agreements from the Lok Adalat, the comprehensive case diary, and relevant CCTV footage, among other related papers. He assured the public, stating, “All these seized documents will be presented before the High Court as part of the ongoing legal process.”
The ‘Parakamani’ scandal, which involves significant allegations of widespread theft of foreign currency from the temple’s donation box, first emerged in April 2023. Initially, the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) identified Ravikumar, a clerk associated with the Pedda Jeeyar Mutt, as the primary suspect. However, the investigation took a controversial turn when the matter was resolved in the Lok Adalat Court in Tirupati. This ‘compromise formula’ drew heavy scrutiny and sparked widespread speculation, particularly as reports indicated that Ravikumar had allegedly transferred properties worth several crores of rupees to the TTD, leading to the abrupt closure of the case.
Public outcry intensified following the NDA government’s ascent to power in the state. The BJP vehemently alleged that substantial sums were exchanged as part of the questionable ‘compromise formula.’ This pressure ultimately led the Andhra Pradesh High Court to establish a Special Investigation Team (SIT) and mandate a thorough, in-depth probe into the matter. The next hearing for this high-profile case is scheduled for October 17.