The Tirupati Tirumala temple. (naidusudhakar via Twitter)Election Commission officials yesterday (17 April) confiscated 1,381 kg of gold belonging to the Tirupati Tirumala Devasthanam (TTD) being moved in a van in Chennai, reports The Times of India. The gold was being transported by the Punjab National Bank, ostensibly to be returned to the TTD.
TTD executive officer Anil Kumar Singhal clarified that the gold was meant to be handed over to the temple trust in Tirupati.
“TTD had deposited a total of 8,500kg of gold with Andhra Bank and Punjab National Bank. As the three-year deposit period of the 1,381kg gold matured recently, TTD asked PNB to hand it over its headquarters in Tirupati. The gold was being moved from Chennai and the consignment was intercepted near Tiruvallur,” he explained.
TTD’s financial advisor and chief accounts officer O Balaji stated that PNB officials had notified authorities prior to the gold being transported, and had also submitted the requisite documents.
“There is nothing to worry because PNB officials have confirmed that the consignment would be released after producing relevant documents. The gold will be handed over to the TTD at its headquarters in Tirupati by Thursday morning or afternoon,” he said.
An Appeal...
Dear Reader,
As you are no doubt aware, Swarajya is a media product that is directly dependent on support from its readers in the form of subscriptions. We do not have the muscle and backing of a large media conglomerate nor are we playing for the large advertisement sweep-stake.
Our business model is you and your subscription. And in challenging times like these, we need your support now more than ever.
We deliver over 10 - 15 high quality articles with expert insights and views. From 7AM in the morning to 10PM late night we operate to ensure you, the reader, get to see what is just right.
Becoming a Patron or a subscriber for as little as Rs 1200/year is the best way you can support our efforts.