Tuesday, August 3, 2010

AP High Court for CID probe into TTD scam

By S A Ishaqui
Hyderabad,Aug. 2: The Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam (TTD) was in for a rude shock when the AP High Court on Monday ordered a CID probe into the alleged Arjita Seva ticket scam. Justice Samudrala Govindarajulu stalled proceedings at a lower court at Tirupati with regard to illegal sale of Poorabhishekam tickets and also directed the additional director–general of the CID to constitute a special investigation team for this case.

The judge said the SIT could look into other irregularities and can increase the scope of the investigation depending on the clues unearthed. The judge said the SIT could interrogate any person related to the offence irrespective of their status, in order to solve the case. The judge ruled that the investigation officer should file a periodical monthly report on the investigation to the High Court and after conclusion of the investigation the investigation officer shall file an additional final report before the lower court.

Justice Govindarajulu said the brokers could not have operated without the involvement of the TTD staff. The judge said, “Keeping in mind the larger public interest and also to protect the sentiments and feelings of the devotees of Lord Venkateswara, this court is of the opinion that there is a comprehensive probe needed to unearth the black sheep involved in the offence.’’

The judge passed the orders while dealing with two petitions filed by Mr A.V. Dharma Reddy, special executive officer, and Mr K. Damodaram, joint executive officer of the TTD, seeking a to quash the criminal proceedings against them.

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