Broker gang busted in Tirumala, one held for using fake Aadhaar cards

Tirumala, Aug 17 (TNT): TTD Vigilance officials foiled an alleged broker gang’s attempt to obtain accommodation at the Central Reception Office (CRO) in Tirumala using fake identity documents and sell rooms to devotees at inflated prices, with one person arrested and a police case registered.

On Sunday,  CRO staff noticed a person who had already secured a room standing in the queue again under another identity and apprehended him, TTD said in a release here on Monday.

The person was identified as Ashiq Ali P.M. (32) of Malappuram district, Kerala and two fake Aadhaar cards, a room registration slip, Rs 800 in cash and a mobile phone were seized from him.

During questioning, Ashiq Ali reportedly told officials that he had been engaged by a broker identified as Ranjith and was paid Rs 1,000 for each room.

His alleged role was to obtain rooms using fake identity documents and hand them over to the broker, who would subsequently sell them to devotees at higher prices.

Based on a complaint lodged by the TTD Vigilance Department, a case was registered at Tirumala-2 Town Police Station.

Police are investigating the case and verifying the authenticity of the fake Aadhaar cards.

The investigation is also underway to identify other members of the alleged gang.

TTD cautioned devotees against approaching brokers for accommodation and advised them not to share Aadhaar details, photographs, phone numbers or other personal information with strangers.

It said accommodation in Tirumala should be obtained only through CRO counters, the official TTD website or mobile application.

TTD urged devotees to immediately report brokers offering rooms for money or any suspicious activity to the TTD Vigilance and Security Control Room at 9866898630 or the TTD Call Centre at 155257.

The TTD said strict legal action would be taken against brokers cheating devotees and those supporting such activities.

TNT LE