ACB raids TTD deputy EO’s properties in Tirupati

Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) officials simultaneously raided four premises linked to the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD’s) Deputy Executive Officer (EO) Mendu Lokanatham in Tirupati district on Wednesday. They seized evidence, including property documents, cash, gold, silver and other material.

Mr. Lokanatham is currently serving as Deputy EO of the Tirumala temple. He had reportedly held key positions in the erstwhile YSRCP government.

According to ACB sources, the searches followed information that emerged during the CBI investigation in the alleged adulteration of ghee supplied to the temple case. The investigation revealed key information pertaining to some TTD employees.

As a follow-up, ACB Visakhapatnam registered a case against K. Chinna Appanna, who served as personal assistant to the then TTD chairman Y.V. Subba Reddy, for his alleged role in influencing ghee suppliers.

The investigation further led to the doorstep of Deputy EO Lokanatham, whose residential premises and a relative’s house (both in Tirupati), ancestral home in Yerpedu and his official chambers at Tirumala hills were raided simultaneously.

An ACB release stated that the Mr. Lokanatham had purchased a house at Pedda Kapu Layout in Tirupati in the name of his spouse. Two house plots along with a building in Gollavanigunta (Tirupati), a house plot at Padiredu Aranyam village in Vadamalapet mandal, and a plot in Srinivasapuram residential area were held in his son’s name.

Four fixed deposits in the names of relatives’ were also found by the ACB officials during the searches along with 2 kg of gold, 6.5 kg of silver and cash valued at ₹5 crore. Searches were in progress at the time this report was filed.