The Andhra Pradesh high court on Saturday directed Tirupati district superintendent of police to provide security to senior journalist Macharla Srinivasulu, who moved the court seeking in-depth probe into the alleged theft of currency in Parakamani in Tirumala temple.
The high court already ordered that the case be handed over to the Crime Investigation Department (CID) for a comprehensive probe.
The court ordered that the journalist be given protection till the completion of investigation relating to Parakamani case.
Srinivasulu had approached the high court stating that he had been receiving threats after filing a petition seeking a CID inquiry into the case.
In his plea, he informed the court that he had submitted a representation to the police on November 15 requesting personal security, but no action had been taken.
During Saturday’s hearing, the bench delivered key orders, emphasizing the need to ensure the petitioner’s safety until the completion of the investigation.
The court recalled that the CID Director General and the State DGP had already written to Superintendents of Police instructing them to provide security to witnesses and the accused in the case.
The high court noted the recent directions issued just two days ago to the CID DG to ensure protection for accused C V Ravikumar and other witnesses.
The matter gained urgency after complainant and reserve inspector Y Satish Kumar died under suspicious circumstances while travelling to appear before the investigating officer in Tirupati — an incident that triggered statewide concern and shock.
Expressing alarm over the developments, the court reiterated that all witnesses and the accused must be safeguarded until the investigation reaches its conclusion.
The Tirupati SP has now been instructed to ensure uninterrupted protection for the journalist as well.
