Tirumala Parakamani theft case: Former TTD chief Karunakar Reddy appears before CID

Tirupati: YSRCP leader and former Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) chairman Bhumana Karunakar Reddy appeared for questioning in connection with the Tirumala Parakamani theft case on Tuesday.

The Andhra Pradesh CID issued notices to him to appear at 4 pm at the CID office set up at Tirupati Padmavati Guest House.

What is the case about?

The case traces back to 2023, when accused CV Ravi Kumar smuggled out foreign currency by hiding it in his undergarments on April 29, 2023.

Though caught with $11,300 (about Rs 9 lakh), the FIR recorded recovery of just $900. TTD officials later found that the accused amassed properties worth Rs 100 crore by stealing foreign currency wads multiple times earlier.

Following this, two TTD Trust Board members released surveillance footage from the Tirumala Parakamani. BJP leader and Trust Board member G Bhanuprakash Reddy accused Bhumana Karunakar Reddy of running the scam under then CM Jagan Mohan Reddy’s directions.

Death stalled the investigation

Following High Court directions, the CID team resumed the investigation to submit a detailed report by December 2. However, the inquiry faced delays after AVSO Satish Kumar, who was assisting the investigation, died under suspicious circumstances.

As a part of the investigation, on November 24, Monday, the CID questioned the TTD Vigilance & Security Officer Giridhar at the Padmavati Guest House. Investigators first asked whether he had communicated any information related to the theft to higher authorities.