A 40-year-old outsourcing employee working for Union Bank of India was arrested by the Tirumala police on Friday for allegedly stealing a 100-gram gold biscuit from the ‘Parakamani’ (currency counting hall) at the Tirumala temple. The accused, identified as V Penchalaiah, was caught in the act by vigilance officials.
Penchalaiah, employed through Andhra Bank Retired Employees’ Projects of Self Engagement (ABREPOSE), an outsourcing agency, reportedly stole the gold biscuit from a counting table and attempted to hide it. According to the vigilance officials, he entered the gold storage room under the pretense of performing his duties. He then took the biscuit, concealed it in his fist, and later wrapped it in a knife and rope before hiding it in the pipe hole of an empty steel hundi trolley (No. 17) meant for the checking area.
During a routine inspection, the vigilant guards discovered the hidden gold biscuit and promptly alerted the authorities. CCTV footage further confirmed Penchalaiah’s actions.
The incident was investigated by Additional EO Venkaiah Choudhary, VGO Ramkumar, and other temple officials. The Executive Officer was informed, and the police were instructed to take immediate action. Following a complaint from the vigilance staff, a case was registered, and Penchalaiah was arrested. The investigation is being led by the One Town Sub-Inspector.
The authorities have expressed their firm commitment to preventing such breaches in the sacred temple’s security systems.
