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10 fake `300 online special darshan tickets seized; Three arrested
Once again insiders of the TTD have played a key role in fake online tickets scam which was detected at Tirumala on Monday.
- Those arrested include a broker and two contract TTD contract staff manning the darshan counter
- Two other contract staff also involved in the fraud
- The middleman reportedly collected `1,000 for each ticket of `300
- TTD vigilance staff also find that owners of some lodges were involved in fake online tickets scam
Tirupati: Once again insiders of the TTD have played a key role in fake online tickets scam which was detected at Tirumala on Monday.
It may be noted here that the TTD vigilance sleuths acting on a tip off on Monday evening conducted an inspection at Rs 300 online special darshan counters at Vaikuntam complex-1 and apprehended a broker and two TTD outsourced employees who were involved in issuing fake online tickets. Total four outsourced employees colluded with the broker.
When the outsourced staff allowed 10 devotees for darshan with fake tickets, the vigilance sleuths entered the scene and questioned them on barcode numbers and other technical details, but the officials were informed that the details on the tickets did not match the details fed in the computer. One broker from Tirupati has sent 10 pilgrims to the special darshan counter. He had already connived with the counter staff to allow the pilgrims holding the fake tickets for darshan.
The broker paid an extra Rs 20 per each ticket to the TTD outsourced staff posted on duty at the darshan counter. According to vigilance sources, the middleman had collected Rs 1,000 for each Rs 300 ticket.
Later, the vigilance department handed over the accused to Tirumala One Town police. They booked a criminal case against the five accused.
According to TTD vigilance sources, these irregularities have been occurring for the last few years for Rs 300 special darshan. One year ago, vigilance officials had booked cases against two outsourced employees.
The vigilance sleuths have also discovered that managements of a few lodges were involved in fake online tickets. Whenever there is heavy rush at Tirumala, managements of a few lodges take the help of brokers to secure fake Rs 300 tickets and send pilgrims for darshan. These managements collude with the TTD staff manning the counters.
The outsourced employees are recruited at TTD through Manpower Agency based in Hyderabad. Devotees allege that the irregularities are being reported due to collusion between travel agents, brokers, owners of a few lodges and the employees recruited through Manpower Agency. The devotees say the TTD should introduce a foolproof mechanism to prevent irregularities in issuing Rs 300 special darshan tickets. About two months ago, a travel agent from Maharashtra had tried to send 190 pilgrims with fake tickets (without barcode) for darshan. He was then caught by the vigilance personnel.
In the latest case of fake tickets, police began a detailed investigation to establish the links between employees recruited through Manpower Agency, brokers and lodge owners.
TTD Chief Vigilance Officer Ake Ravikrishna speaking to The Hans India on Tuesday said, “Already our personnel have started detailed probe in this case and we are trying to catch two more accused (Rs 300 entry counter staff). Similarly, we will take measures to prevent the fake online darshan tickets on permanent basis.”
K Nethaji
