<p>A 40-year-old outsourced employee of the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) was arrested at Lord Venkateswara Swamy temple for allegedly stealing over 650 grams of gold donated by devotees as offerings to the deity, said a police official on Tuesday.</p>
<p>The accused, V Penchalayya, was arrested for stealing 650 grams of gold worth Rs 46 lakh, comprising gold biscuits and jewellery. According to the police, Penchalayya had been misusing his position in the Parakamani section, where offerings are sorted. He has reportedly commited the thefts over the past year. He was employed for the past two years to count and sort offerings from donation boxes and reportedly stole gold on 10 to 15 occasions.</p>
<p>”Penchalayya used to work in Parakamani, where offerings to the deity are sorted and he indulged in stealing gold offered to the deity,” the official told PTI. <br /><br />In the Parakamani section, cash, gold, jewelry, and other offerings are sorted with cash deposited in banks and valuables safeguarded. Penchalayya exploited his access to the storage room to steal gold items.</p>
<p>On Saturday, January 11, Penchalayya was caught in the act while attempting to steal a 100-gram gold biscuit. He concealed the stolen item in a trolley within the Parakamani building. Vigilance staff uncovered the theft during a routine inspection, confirmed the incident through CCTV footage, and reported it to the Tirumala I Town Police.</p>
<p>Although Penchalayya initially fled the scene, police apprehended him on January 12. During interrogation, he admitted to his crimes, leading to the recovery of 655 grams of stolen gold and 157 grams of silver. The total value of the recovered items was estimated at Rs 46 lakh.</p>
<p>Police confirmed that Penchalayya had been arrested under BNS Section 316(5) for criminal breach of trust. He was remanded to judicial custody on Monday.</p>
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