Appraiser steals from TTD treasury

TIRUPATI: In a shocking incident, a Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) employee was caught red-handed stealing valuables from the treasury of TTD administrative building on Wednesday night. The value of the stolen articles was put at Rs 9,000.T Giridhar, working as appraiser, went into the treasury along with other appraisers to evaluate the foreign currency dropped in the temple hundi on Wednesday. While returning home in the evening, he had pocketed some valuables, including a bag containing 92 American diamonds, three silver dollars and two precious stones.Though he was aware of the security arrangements inside the treasury, Giridhar is learnt to have dared to pocket the valuables but was caught red-handed through closed circuit cameras monitored by TTD vigilance department in the administrative building. According to TTD additional CVSO Sivakumar Reddy, Giridhar was nabbed by the security and vigilance personnel as he stepped out of the building at around 7.30 pm. The stolen valuables were seized from him. The TTD authorities suspended the employee immediately and reportedly detained him.A decision on lodging a police complaint will be taken after consulting the higher officials, including the TTD executive officer and the chief vigilance and security officer. Officials said the incident was being taken serious by the TTD administration and stringent action would be initiated against Giridhar.