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Veerashetty Penchalayya, a contract laborer working at Srivari Parakamani, was caught stealing gold items from a storage room. The accused was working for Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) for two years and it is said that he had been stealing gold and silver ornaments for more than a year.
The TTD vigilance wing lodged a complaint with the Tirumala 1 city police, and Penchalayya was taken into custody. File photo
Thousands of devotees visit Tirumala every day to see Srivari. They believe that even a brief darshan of the Lord’s divine form can wash away their sins and guide them to salvation. After their prayers are answered, devotees make offerings to the Lord using the hundi, which can range from one rupee to valuables of silver and gold.
However, a recent incident has highlighted the importance of vigilance in the Parakamani system. Veerashetty Penchalayya, a contract laborer working at Srivari Parakamani, was caught stealing gold items from a storage room. The accused had been working for Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) for two years and it is said that he had been stealing gold and silver ornaments for over a year.
Vigilant TTD personnel became suspicious of Penchalayya’s activities and kept him under surveillance. From Vaikuntha Dwadashi, he stole a 100 gram gold biscuit and hid it in the pipes of the trolley. During the investigation, the TTD security forces discovered the crime, and Penchalayya fled.
The TTD vigilance wing lodged a complaint with the Tirumala 1 city police, and Penchalayya was taken into custody. During interrogation, he admitted to stealing 655 grams of gold and 157 grams of silver items, including gold biscuits and ornaments. The police recovered the stolen items, worth Rs 46 lakh.
- Location :
Tirupati, India