Pilgrim in Tirumala beaten by TTD vigilance

Thirumala, March 23: A pilgrim was beaten by the TTD vigilance and SPF personnel, the incident came light to light after 2 days. while coming to matter, A pilgrim admitted to the SVIMS super specialty hospital at Tirupati when he sustained grievous injuries allegedly due to manhandling by the TTD vigilance and SPF personnel.

The condition of the pilgrim is reported to be critical. According to hospital sources, the pilgrim is on life support.

According to the police, the incident took place on Monday night when K. Padmanabhan (56) of Eluru was passing through the dharma darshan queue lines along with his family members.

The security personnel took objection to a family member when he unwittingly joined the queue meant for women at the checking point a few meters ahead of the main entrance of the hill temple.

Even though the family members tried to explain that the act was not intentional, the security personnel were in no mood to listen and roughed them up badly, the family members alleged. In the melee, Padmanabhan, a heart patient, grew panic and fell unconscious even as the security staff allegedly rained blows on him.

All their appeals to the staff to observe restraint fell on deaf ears, the family members alleged. The police have registered a case and investigation is on.

The TTD has denied charges of manhandling any devotee. In a press release issued on Wednesday, the TTD said the devotee in question, Mr Padmanabham, entered into a verbal argument with the on duty TTD women security guards manning the checking point after having entered the queue lines meant for the women and suddenly collapsed on the floor.