Tirupati:  The Andhra Pradesh government has ordered an inquiry into the alleged unauthorised transportation of gold that belonged to the Tirupati temple. This in the wake of the Tamil Nadu Election Commission’s seizure of 1,381 kgs of gold four days ago that was transported in trucks without valid documents.

The trucks were detained after the special flying squad of the Tamil Nadu Election Commission found the load of gold being transported without proper documents.

The police later released the trucks after the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams Trust Board officer issued a letter stating that the gold belonged to the temple.

The gold is believed to have been brought from Punjab National Bank (PNB) upon the expiry of a three-year deposit period.

The temple had allegedly written to PNB officials seeking the release of the gold.

On April 17, the election officials seized three trucks with 56 boxes, each containing 22 kg gold. This after bank officials were unable to authenticate that the gold truly belonged to the TTD.

The value of the confiscated gold is estimated to be over Rs 450 crore.

Transportation of the precious metal without security or documents raised doubts among devotees and even political parties.

Chief secretary LV Subrahmanyam has now ordered a probe into the circumstances that led to the transportation of gold without proper documentation and security.

A report on the matter is expected by April 23.

However, the release orders for the seized gold were issued by the Election Commission after three days and the gold was handed over to the TTD in Tirupati on Saturday evening.

A senior official from the TTD vigilance and security wing has confirmed the receipt of the seized gold and said that the gold was shifted to TTD’s treasury by Saturday evening.