1 day ago
Tirumala Temple Steps Up Crackdown on Fraud and Security Violations
The Tirumala temple is trying to stop people from cheating visitors.
Some touts allegedly promise special temple visits or expensive rooms and then disappear.
The temple authority has filed 30 criminal cases against such touts.
It has also punished 43 employees for breaking rules this year.
Officials found 249 fake websites pretending to offer temple tickets or rooms.
They told devotees to use only the official TTD website and mobile app.
The TTD also warned that ‘ttddevasthanam.online’ is not a real official website.
Security staff have seized drones and Meta Smart Glasses brought to the temple entrance.
The TTD has filed 30 criminal cases against touts accused of misleading devotees about darshan and accommodation.
Officials say 43 TTD employees faced disciplinary action this year for code-of-conduct violations, including cheating devotees.
The TTD identified 249 fake websites, registered two criminal cases, and said all were shut down with agency cooperation.
Authorities warned devotees against the fake site ‘ttddevasthanam.online’ and urged bookings only through official TTD channels.
The TTD said security personnel seized 261 drones and 105 Meta Smart Glasses at the temple entrance.
- Who
- The Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD), devotees, touts, some TTD employees, fake website operators, and security violators.
- What
- The TTD is enforcing measures against fraud, fake booking websites, touts, employee misconduct, drones, and Meta Smart Glasses.
- Where
- The Lord Venkateswara temple at Tirumala and its online booking services.
- When
- The TTD reported actions taken this year; it also filed a complaint against SCP Developers last week.
- Why
- To protect devotees from cheating and enforce rules against unauthorized bookings, promotions, and banned or unwelcome devices.
Key facts
- Criminal cases against touts
- 30 cases
- Employees disciplined this year
- 43 TTD employees
- Fake websites identified
- 249 platforms
- Fake-site criminal cases
- 2 cases
- Drones seized
- 261
- Meta Smart Glasses seized
- 105
- Fake website specifically named
- ttddevasthanam.online
Quotes
Official from the office of the TTD Executive Officer
An official explaining the fraudulent website’s operation
“Some people have created this website to resemble the official online services of TTD, with only minor changes in the domain name, and are trying to cheat devotees. It falsely displays information that Srivari Darshan and Seva tickets are available for August, September and October.”
indianexpress.com
“In addition to registering two criminal cases, TTD has successfully shut down all these websites with the cooperation of the relevant agencies.”
indianexpress.com
Sources
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