The special investigation team of the Andhra Pradesh police headed by CID chief Ravi Shankar Ayyannar probing the Tirumala Parakamani (currency counting centre) theft case is said to be focussing on why the accused C V Ravi Kumar was let off with a simple theft case and what forced the TTD to enter into a compromise with him in Lok Adalat.
The 20-member CID team led by Ayyannar has been interrogating key witnesses and officials at Padmavathi Guest House in Tirupati, following high court directions to reopen the probe.
The team grilled the former TTD officials and senior police officers who handled the case earlier thoroughly to elicit key information.
“Why was the Parakamani theft case treated as a simple house theft instead of a case of misappropriation of public funds?” Ayyannar asked then then police officials.
He also sought to know why the case was later settled in a Lok Adalat immediately after filing the chargesheet.
Those who were questioned on Monday included former CI Jaganmohan Reddy, SI Lakshmi Reddy (who registered the original FIR), and former TTD Vigilance & Security Officer Giridhar. Each was questioned separately by specialized teams.
Sources said Giridhar shared details based on his previous reports and was asked about the complaint and compromise proceedings initiated by the Additional Vigilance & Security Officer (AVSO).
SI Lakshmi Reddy faced pointed queries on why Sections 379 and 380 (theft) were invoked instead of Section 409 (criminal breach of trust), which applies to misappropriation of entrusted funds.
He was also asked whether any pressures or instructions had come from higher-ups to dilute the charges.
CI Jaganmohan Reddy, believed to have played a key role in the earlier investigation, was reportedly questioned for over four hours.
CID officers inquired why crime branch personnel were not involved despite the sensitive nature of the case and why only two or three officers inspected the accused’s properties.
The investigators also sought details of the accused Ravi Kumar’s family assets, the alleged conversion of stolen property into temple donations, and who facilitated the “gifted” registration in favour of the deity.
The CID teams are also probing the disappearance of digital evidence from the command-control centre. Jaganmohan Reddy reportedly answered only some questions and was told he might be summoned again.
