Mon May 19 15:20:54 UTC 2025: **News Article Summary:**
**BJP Official Alleges “Tulabharam Scam” at Tirupati Temple, Demands Probe**
Tirupati, India – A member of the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) Trust Board and BJP State spokesperson, G. Bhanuprakash Reddy, has filed a formal complaint demanding a vigilance probe into alleged misappropriation of funds related to the “Tulabharam” ritual at the Lord Venkateswara temple. Reddy alleges that during the previous YSR Congress Party government’s tenure (2019-2024), significant amounts donated by devotees as part of the Tulabharam offering—where individuals donate their weight in goods or the monetary equivalent—were not reaching the TTD treasury.
Reddy claims that contract employees were improperly placed in charge of Tulabharam collection points, leading to the siphoning off of funds for personal use. He asserts that lower amounts were being deposited in banks to avoid suspicion, accusing staff of “criminal breach of trust” and deceiving devotees. Despite a number of vigilance probes initiated by the NDA government after assuming power in 2024, the Tulabharam irregularities had not yet been investigated. Reddy suspects that influential figures were involved, resulting in earlier complaints being ignored. He has submitted his complaint to the Director-General of Police (Vigilance and Enforcement) and the Superintendent of Police (V&E) in Tirupati, urging a thorough investigation into the alleged scam.
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