EC seizes 1,381 kg of gold sent to Tirumala temple

According to the police, the flying squad were engaged in vehicle checks to prevent money laundering across the State when the van with 1,381 kilograms of the gold was seized and handed over to Tiruvallur sub-collector Rathna.

Speaking to DT Next, sub-collector Rathna revealed that the gold seized belonged to the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam and was sent from Punjab National Bank where it was deposited by the Devasthanam for the past three years.

“After the temple authorities sought the gold, the ornaments were converted into biscuits by a Switzerland-based firm and being returned to the Tirumala Devasthanam,”Rathna said.

The information was passed on to the district Collector R Maheshwari and the gold was handed over to the government treasury in Poonamallee.

Rathna added that after a detailed investigation, the gold would be handed back to the devasthanam if the papers were intact and the evidence is sufficient to prove that there is no foul play. “However, it is likely to happen only after the elections,”she said.