Andhra Pradesh High Court recommends AI use to prevent theft at Tirupati's hundi counting
Protecting these offerings is essential to safeguard the sentiments of millions of devotees, the high court has observed.
The Andhra Pradesh High Court has recommended that the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam (TTD) may implement Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology to curb thefts in the Prakamani, that is the counting of the temple’s hundi (offering box) offerings and streamline the entire process.
A single judge bench led by Justice Gannamaneni Ramakrishna Prasad has said that AI could significantly help in completely preventing theft from the temple's hundi.
High Court noted several past incidents of theft occurring despite the deep faith and devotion with which pilgrims offer gifts to Lord Venkateswara and stressed the need for reforms in the hundi management process.
Advising minimization of human intervention in the counting process by adopting advanced technology, court has suggested the introduction of AI-enabled machines for accurate and transparent counting of cash and other offerings.
Court went on to criticize the current practice of subjecting devotees who volunteer for counting duties to physical searches when they are in their underclothes, calling it inappropriate and humiliating. “Treating devotees who come forward to serve as potential thieves is unacceptable,” the court remarked.
A petition was filed before the High Court by Tirupati-based journalist Srinivasulu, challenging the compromise settlement in a lok adalat regarding the theft of US$ 900 valued at approximately Rs 72,000) from the hundi. The petitioner also had sought the transfer of the case to the CID for further investigation.
High Court reviewed a report submitted by the CID Additional DG, along with photographs of the current hundi counting process, describing the existing procedure as chaotic and in need of immediate improvements.
The bench highlighted issues arising from reliance on outsourced staff, suggesting that employing permanent employees could better maintain control. It also urged reducing human resources in sensitive areas and increasing technological interventions, stating that this approach would drastically reduce instances of crime in the hundi section.
It had also called for enhanced security measures, including better integration of CCTV cameras with AI systems. Both parties have been directed to submit detailed suggestions on reforms in the hundi process.