Tirumala, July 16, 2013: A couple working in a private hotel at the TTD’s Kousthubham guest house on Monday were taken into custody by the Vigilance and security sleuths on alleged charges of proselytisation.

The sleuths, who on a tip-off conducted a raid on the hotel and its precincts, also recovered a copy of the Bible and application forms seeking conversion of religion from the workers’ residence.

Meanwhile, the accused, who have been identified as Acchi Raju and Satyavati of Rajahmundry, denied any knowledge about the conversions.

However, they admitted to the authorities that their five-year-old daughter fetched the book from the adjoining quarters.

They also said that had they been aware of the restrictions at Tirumala, they would have never retained the book.

However, sleuths were sceptical of their confessional statement and took them into custody for further questioning besides searching the neighbouring ‘F’ type quarters.

It may be recalled that last July, Vigilance and Security officials seized bundles of religious publications, wall-posters and other propaganda material belonging to Christian missionaries from the TTD staff quarters.

Source: The Hindu, DT. July 16, 2013.