In a dramatic development, the Andhra Pradesh High Court has handed down clear directives in the sensational Tirumala Srivari Temple Parakamani cash theft case. The court, taking strong exception to earlier lapses and alleged procedural compromises, has empowered both the Crime Investigation Department (CID) and the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) with complete operational freedom to conduct an in-depth probe into the high-profile case.

In its bold order, the bench stated that CID and ACB Director Generals are at full liberty to register fresh offences wherever required and initiate action strictly in accordance with law. The court asserted that the investigation must be comprehensive, unrestrained, and focused on uncovering the truth behind the alleged diversion and mishandling of temple funds.

Significantly, the High Court directed that the assets and financial transactions of key accused Ravi Kumar be thoroughly examined. It further ordered a probe into the circumstances under which the case was earlier taken to Lok Adalat and reportedly settled, calling for scrutiny of any irregularities in that process.

To accelerate the pace of the investigation, the bench advised CID and ACB chiefs to share all collected intelligence and case materials with each other. This coordinated approach, the court observed, would eliminate gaps, strengthen evidentiary trails, and ensure a more robust, airtight investigation.

In another major directive, the High Court instructed CID officials to submit, in a sealed cover, the post-mortem report of Y. Satish Kumar, who was serving as TTD AVNO at the time and whose death raised serious questions linked to the case. The report is to be handed over to the Registrar (Judicial) for confidential examination.

The matter has now been adjourned to December 16. With the High Court’s sweeping orders, legal observers believe several critical aspects of the case are likely to emerge into the public domain, potentially altering the trajectory of the investigation.