BJP demands CID inquiry into alleged foreign currency scam at Tirumala

BJP State spokesperson and Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) board member G. Bhanuprakash Reddy on Saturday demanded a CID inquiry into the alleged misappropriation of foreign currency from the ‘hundi’ at the Lord Venkateswara temple in Tirumala.   

Speaking to the media, the BJP leader alleged that hundreds of crore worth of foreign currency deposited into the hundi by devotees were stolen during the previous YSRCP government’s rule and the case was improperly settled in the Lok Adalat in violation of the existing rules and regulations.

Mr. Reddy expressed shock over the manner in which a TTD vigilance official who probed the scam unilaterally compromised the matter in court and termed his statement that he had opted for the compromise after being unable to withstand the pressure from police.    

Calling for a thorough probe, he insisted that the investigation must expose the masterminds behind the scam and those who directly or indirectly benefited from the stolen funds. He demanded answers on how the looted money was distributed and amongst who all. 

Reddy said that IT Minister Nara Lokesh during his visit to Tirumala on Friday had responded positively and assured immediate and stringent action against the culprits when he took up the issue with him. He added that the punishment should be so severe that it will deter anyone from committing such fraudulent activities in the future. I have also flagged off concerns during the TTD board meeting and the TTD Executive Officer had assured stern action against the culprits after obtaining the report of the state vigilance wing, probing the case, he added.

Welcoming the Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu’s decision to revoke permission for the construction of Mumtaz Hotel in Tirupati, he urged that the entire stretch of Zoo Park Road near Alipiri be declared a temple corridor.

The BJP leader also supported Naidu’s stand that the employees, practicing alien faiths and working in the TTD should be respectfully relocated to other departments outside the TTD and further vowed to discuss the issue in the ensuing board meeting. He also demanded action to be initiated against those, who refuse to accept ‘theertham’ and ‘prasadam’ of Lord Venkateswara despite drawing salaries from the institution.