Man Booked in Tirumala for Forging Letter in Lokesh’s Name
Police said they are verifying this claim as part of their investigation
TIRUPATI: Police have registered a case against a man for trying to secure break darshan tickets at Tirumala using a forged recommendation letter attributed to Education minister Nara Lokesh.
The incident occurred on Wednesday around 11.30 am when the accused approached the office of the Additional Executive Officer (EO) at Tirumala and submitted the letter. During verification, staff noticed discrepancies in the document and suspected it to be fake.
Additional EO office superintendent Tulasi brought the matter to the notice of Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams Vigilance and Security Wing. Vigilance officials examined the letter and confirmed it to be a fake.
Following a complaint lodged by Vigilance inspector E. Srinivasulu, II Town Police Station at Tirumala registered a case on Thursday under Sections 318(4), 336(3) and 340(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita related to cheating and forgery.
Police have identified the accused as Laddika Lakshmi Venkata Nagesh (52), a resident of Madhura Nagar in Vijayawada. During preliminary enquiry, Nagesh reportedly told officials that his nephew had forwarded the letter to him by WhatsApp. The nephew, in turn, had received it from one of his friends.
Police said they are verifying this claim as part of their investigation.
TTD has reiterated that any attempt to mislead officials by using fake recommendation letters for special darshan will be dealt with strictly.