Authenticating the fact that black marketing of seva tickets remains unabated at Tirumala, the TTDs vigilance personnel on Thursday took two persons into custody for selling darshan tickets at exorbitant rates.
Surprisingly, the offender turned out to be a government employee working in Tirupati. According to the police, Munikrishnaiah, the accused, collected Rs.12,000 from two people from Chennai with a promise that he would provide them with two thomala seva tickets.
Even though seva ticket costs merely Rs.440 each across the bank counter even under the current booking system, Munikrishnaiah charged a whopping Rs.6,000 for the each ticket. But having failed to procure the much-sought-after seva tickets he secured the buyers two VIP break darshan tickets.
Annoyed with his attitude, the devotees lodged a complaint with the TTDs vigilance personnel, who finally took him into custody. Investigations revealed that Munikrishnaiah was assisted by his son-in-law, Praveen Kumar, in his corrupt practices.
Police who are investigating the case are perplexed as to how a government employee could procure VIP break darshan tickets, which are issued under heavy restrictions and only after thorough scrutiny.