Enforcement Questioned After Discovery of Empty Liquor Bottles at Tirumala

TIRUPATI: Discovery of empty liquor bottles at Tirumala on Sunday has raised questions about enforcement of norms at the hill town, where alcohol is banned. The bottles have been found in bushes along the Outer Ring Road, between the Police Guest House and Balaji Nagar.

Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) officials have ordered an investigation into how the liquor reached Tirumala. CCTV footage from nearby areas is being examined to identify those who brought the alcohol and consumed it.

TTD said action would be taken against the persons involved and staff who have been negligent in preventing such violations.

Former TTD chairman and YSRC senior leader Bhumana Karunakar Reddy criticised the repeated occurrence of such incidents, saying this points to gaps in enforcement. He said that despite a clear ban on alcohol, tobacco and non-vegetarian food, violations are continuing to occur. He called for stricter checks to stop the illegal movement of banned items into Tirumala.

Tirupati district police have sought to clarify that the bottles have not been discovered near the Police Guest House, as suggested in some social media posts.

Police pointed out that the guest house is located on higher ground. It has no direct link to the spot where bottles have been found.

Inspection reveals that the bottles are old, with labels damaged by rain. An inquiry is under way in coordination with the Excise department to trace the source of these bottles.