'Kaala Bazaar' in God's abode, one arrested

Tirumala, May 21 (UNI) In view of heavy summer rush at Tirumala temple, tickets for various forms of worship and cellar tickets are being sold in black to the pilgrims from across the country for darshan of the Lord Venkateswara Swamy in Tirumala, officials aid.

According to vigilance officials here today, T Krishana Murty, a kitchen contract worker, was held in connection with the sale of six 'abhishekam' tickets in black at Rs 25,000 to Rs 30,000, instead of Rs 2,500 per ticket.

He was handed over to the police.

In another case, on a complaint from a pilgrim, the officials found that 19 cellar tickets were sold in black at Rs 5,700, against the actual price of Rs 1,900 and the accused was said to be absconding.

One Raja hailing from Kerala was held while he was selling fake laddus near the Sri Vari temple counters in Tirumala.

On interrogation he revealed that he was selling the laddus since the last three days brought from Tirupati.

He was also handed over to crime police station for further action, the vigilance officials added.

UNI