AP MLC Shaik Sabji arrested in darshan ticket racket

Shaik Sabji and his driver were arrested in connection with Srivari darshan ticket racket. Devotees complained they gave over Rs one lakh to Sabji and his driver.

Tirupati: The Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam (TTD) vigilance on Friday took Andhra Pradesh member of legislative council (MLC) Shaik Sabji in custody over alleged racket of Srivari darshan ticket at Tirupati's Tirumala.

The MLC was detained by vigilance officials after it was found that the devotees with whom he had reached for darshan had submitted fake Aadhar cards. It was found that the Aadhar cards were tampered and there were mismatches in the addresses of the devotees. In the last one month, the MLC had issued 19 recommendation letters for darshan tickets at Tirumala temple. It is being suspected that the darshan tickets were sold at high rates.

It was further revealed that the MLC collected Rs one lakh for arranging darshan for six devotees under the category of Rs 300 special entry darshan. Also, he had given prior intimation to the JEO office for issuing VIP darshan under special category for 14 devotees. But, the JEO office said that only a maximum of 10 people can be issued VVIP passes. When Sabji reached for darshan along with the devotees, he was detained by the TTD vigilance officials.

The MLC was arrested on the basis of complaints of devotees and a case was registered against him at Tirumala Okato Town Police Station. The money that was got by selling darshan tickets was sent through the bank account of Sabji's vehicle driver, said officials. TTD Vigilance VGO Giridhar Rao said the MLC along with his driver Raju have been handed over to the police.

"Shabji won as Upadhyay MLC in 2021. He has been found guilty of irregularities in Srivari darshans. The Adhaar cards of devotees recommended by him were found to be fake. Devotees have complained that Sabji and his driver took over Rs one lakh. We are investigating the case," TTD Vigilance VGO Giridhar Rao said.