Mon Oct 27 14:19:48 UTC 2025: Here’s a summary of the text followed by a rewritten news article:
Summary:
The Andhra Pradesh High Court has ordered a CID investigation into the alleged theft of money, including foreign currency, from offerings made to Lord Venkateswara Swamy at the Tirumala temple. The investigation will include scrutiny of the TTD Trust Board, its officers, and the initial complainant. Additionally, an ACB officer will investigate the assets of the accused TTD clerk and his family. The court also raised concerns about the legality of a Lok Adalat award and a potential lapse in charging the accused under a more serious section of the Indian Penal Code.
News Article:
High Court Orders CID Probe into Tirumala Temple Theft Allegations
Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh – October 27, 2025 – The Andhra Pradesh High Court has ordered a comprehensive investigation into allegations of theft from the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) temple, one of India’s most revered religious sites. Justice Gannamaneni Ramakrishna Prasad issued the order on Monday, directing a CID probe into the disappearance of money, including foreign currency, from the temple’s offerings.
The investigation will extend beyond the primary accused, C.V. Ravi Kumar, a TTD clerk, to include scrutiny of the TTD Trust Board, its officers, and Assistant Vigilance and Security Officer Y. Satish Kumar, the de facto complainant in the case. The court has set a deadline of December 2nd for the completion of the investigation.
In a parallel directive, Justice Ramakrishna Prasad ordered an inquiry by an Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) officer of DGP rank into the assets, including bank accounts, of C.V. Ravi Kumar and his family, from the date of their known income source. The court also requested a review of the legality of a Lok Adalat award passed in September 2023, suggesting potential irregularities.
The High Court further expressed concern over the handling of the case, pointing out the omission of a more serious charge under Section 409 of the Indian Penal Code against Mr. Ravi Kumar, a public servant. The court also noted that Mr. Ravi Kumar and family’s offer to donate properties worth ₹14.50 crore to the TTD, approved by the TTD Chairman without a resolution of the Board, was a signifact lapse. The judge said the judge of the II Additional Judicial First Class Magistrate of Tirupati, should be divested from all protocol duties for the sake of integrity and transparency.
The case has raised serious questions about transparency and accountability within the TTD administration. The outcome of the CID investigation is awaited with keen interest by devotees and the public alike.
First Piper 