The Crime Investigation Department (CID) of the Andhra Pradesh police has submitted its final investigation report to the state High Court regarding the alleged theft of foreign currency from the Parakamani (currency counting centre) of the revered Lord Venkateshwara temple on Tirumala in Tirupati district.
The CID, which concluded its inquiry on Monday, submitted its report to the High Court in a sealed cover on Tuesday. Simultaneously, the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB), which was conducting a separate probe into the properties amassed by the prime accused, C V Ravi Kumar, also submitted its report.
The Theft and Contested Settlement
The case revolves around an incident that took place in April 2023:
- The Incident: C V Ravi Kumar, a head clerk in the Pedda Jeeyar Swamy Mutt, was caught red-handed by former assistant vigilance and security officer Y Satish Kumar while allegedly stealing US$ 900 during currency counting at Parakamani.
- The Settlement: Although Satish Kumar immediately filed a complaint with the TTD vigilance wing and Tirumala police, the matter was abruptly forced into a settlement in Lok Adalat on September 9, 2023, and Ravi Kumar was let off. Ravi Kumar reportedly agreed to donate his assets in exchange for being spared from criminal prosecution, a move later approved by a TTD Board resolution.
High Court Intervention and Intensified Inquiry
The abrupt closure of the criminal case led Tirupati-based journalist Macharla Srinivasulu to file a writ petition seeking accountability. The High Court intervened, directing the CID to seize all records and submit a comprehensive report by December 2.
- CID Inquiry: CID Chief Ravi Shankar Ayyanar personally took charge, questioning 35 individuals, including the accused Ravi Kumar, his family, suspected benamis, and officials who served in the TTD, Vigilance, and police departments during the theft and the Lok Adalat settlement.
- High-Profile Questioning: The CID Chief also questioned former TTD chairpersons Bhumana Karunakar Reddy and Y V Subba Reddy, along with then executive officer A V Dharma Reddy, to ascertain if senior officials played a role in suppressing the matter and allowing the criminal case to be settled outside regular judicial scrutiny.
- Shadow of Death: The inquiry was temporarily halted on November 14 when Satish Kumar—the official who lodged the original complaint—was found dead with severe injuries near railway tracks in Anantapur district. Local police have registered a murder case, casting a significant shadow over the investigation.
Court Proceedings
The High Court directed the Registrar (Judicial) to place both the CID and ACB reports before the bench for further hearing, which has been scheduled for Friday.
During Tuesday’s proceedings, counsel representing Ravi Kumar requested copies of the sealed reports for the defense, a request that the judge immediately rejected.