Initial reports suggested suicide or an accident, but the post-mortem examination at Anantapur Government Hospital revealed a deep, blunt-force injury to the back of his head, consistent with an assault.
Published Jan 09, 2026 | 11:05 AM ⚊ Updated Jan 09, 2026 | 11:05 AM
Andhra Pradesh High Court. (Supplied)
Synopsis: The Andhra Pradesh High Court directed the CID to expedite the investigation into the murder of former former TTD Assistant Vigilance and Security Officer Y Satish Kumar. The court-monitored investigation marks a critical juncture in the Parakamani case, which has exposed vulnerabilities in one of India’s wealthiest temples.
In a significant development in the ongoing Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) Parakamani theft case, the Andhra Pradesh High Court directed the Crime Investigation Department (CID) to expedite the investigation into the murder of Y Satish Kumar, the former Assistant Vigilance and Security Officer (AVSO) who was the original complainant in the scandal.
The court has also announced that it will personally monitor the probe until the charge sheet is filed, citing emerging irregularities and the need for swift justice.
The court-monitored investigation marks a critical juncture in the Parakamani case, which has exposed vulnerabilities in one of India’s wealthiest temples. The court’s decision is expected to reveal the full extent of the corruption in the case and bring the perpetrators to justice.
Justice Gannamaneni Ramakrishna Prasad, presiding over the case, issued the directive on Thursday, 8 January, emphasising the gravity of the situation amid allegations of collusion and cover-ups in the high-profile temple theft.
Satish Kumar’s death, initially shrouded in mystery, was confirmed as murder following a post-mortem examination, adding a deadly layer to the controversy surrounding the Parakamani counting centre at the revered Tirumala temple.
The Parakamani theft scandal came to the surface in April 2023 when CCTV footage captured CV Ravi Kumar, a volunteer from Pedda Jeeyangar Mutt, concealing approximately $11,300 (around ₹9.5 lakh) in foreign currency from devotees’ offerings at the TTD’s secure counting facility. Ravi Kumar, accused of systematically siphoning off foreign donations over the years, allegedly amassed illegal assets valued in crores of rupees across Tirupati and Chennai.
Satish Kumar, then serving as TTD’s AVSO, filed the initial complaint at the Tirumala police station, highlighting severe security lapses in the Parakamani process. However, the case took a controversial turn when it was referred to the Tirupati Lok Adalat in September 2023 for a “compromise settlement.”
Under this arrangement, Ravi Kumar was allowed to walk free without full prosecution or restitution, reportedly involving Satish Kumar in the negotiations. Critics decried the settlement as a blatant cover-up, prompting the Andhra Pradesh High Court to intervene.
In response to public outcry and petitions, the high court ordered the CID to reopen the investigation and form a Special Investigation Team (SIT) led by IPS officer Ravi Shankar Ayyanar. The probe uncovered inconsistencies, suspected collusions between TTD officials, police, and the accused, as well as financial trails indicating the existence of a web of corruption.
Satish Kumar’s role shifted from complainant to a key witness, and potential suspect, in the reopened probe. Transferred to the Government Railway Police as a Circle Inspector in Guntakal, Anantapur district, he was summoned for questioning by the SIT.
On 13 November 2025, Satish boarded the Rayalaseema Express (Train No. 12794) from Guntakal to Tirupati for his second round of deposition, scheduled for the following day.
His body was discovered early on 14 November 2025, on the railway tracks between Tadipatri and Gooty in Anantapur district, between 2 am and 4 am. Initial reports suggested suicide or an accident, but the post-mortem examination at Anantapur Government Hospital revealed a deep, blunt-force injury to the back of his head, consistent with an assault.
Forensic experts ruled out self-inflicted harm or accidental fall, leading the Government Railway Police to register a murder case under Section 302 of the Indian Penal Code on 15 November 2025.
Satish’s family maintained he was in good health and had expressed no fears, insisting he was merely fulfilling his duty. The YSRCP alleged that SIT harassment drove him to despair, accused the ruling coalition of politicising the temple and demanded a CBI inquiry or judicial probe.
The high court’s latest order comes amidst heightening concerns over the integrity of the investigation. In addition to directing the CID to hasten the murder probe and committing to monitor it until the filing of the charge sheet, the court referred to a preliminary report from the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) indicating that Ravi Kumar, classified as a public servant, possessed disproportionate assets.
The bench highlighted evidence of collusion between TTD and police officials to dilute the case, criticising TTD for failing to follow proper procedures in accepting “donated” assets from the accused. The court permitted the CID and ACB to pursue legal actions and departmental proceedings against implicated officials.
Furthermore, the court expressed dissatisfaction with TTD’s security measures, rejecting their reliance on ancient conventions for handling offerings. It described the practice of pouring hundi collections onto the floor as “insulting to devotees” and urged modernisation to reduce human intervention and eliminate invasive frisking.
(Edited by Muhammed Fazil.)
