On Friday evening, 2 January 2026, a 45-year-old man identified as Kuttadi Tirupati created a major security scare and public commotion at the historic Sri Govindaraja Swamy temple in Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh.
Under the heavy influence of alcohol, Kuttadi managed to bypass the temple’s multi-tier security and scale the sacred walls, eventually attempting to climb the Gopuram.
The standoff lasted for several hours as the man refused to descend, explicitly demanding a “quarter bottle” of alcohol as a condition for coming down. He was eventually brought down safely after authorities intervened, and he was immediately taken into custody by the Tirupati East Police.
Tirupati Security Breach
The Sri Govindaraja Swamy temple is one of the most significant and ancient shrines in Tirupati, managed by the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD).
While the temple is known for its stringent vigilance, Kuttadi Tirupati, a resident of the Peddamalla Reddy Colony in Nizamabad, Telangana, exploited a lapse in monitoring to reach the upper reaches of the temple structure.
Eyewitnesses reported that the vigilance staff noticed him only after he had already gained significant height on the wall. The incident has raised serious questions about the night-time security protocols at major religious sites, especially considering the intruder nearly reached the Kalasham (sacred finial) of the temple tower.
Three-Hour Standoff
As Kuttadi perched precariously on the temple structure, a large crowd gathered, and emergency services were called to the scene. When police and temple staff urged him to climb down for his own safety, he remained defiant, shouting his demand for liquor.
Tirupati East DSP M Bhaktavatsalam Naidu confirmed that the priority was to prevent the man from falling or damaging the sacred architecture.
To end the high-stakes drama, authorities reportedly engaged in tactical negotiation, eventually bringing him down after he was assured his “demands” would be addressed. Once on the ground, he was shifted to the local police station for further questioning and a medical examination.
Official Investigation
Tirupati East Police have registered a case against Kuttadi Tirupati for trespassing and causing a public nuisance under the influence of alcohol.
DSP Bhaktavatsalam Naidu stated that a comprehensive investigation is underway to determine exactly how an intoxicated person could evade the on-duty vigilance wing and access restricted areas of the temple. Authorities are also reviewing CCTV footage to identify the specific entry point used by the intruder.
This event follows a series of recent incidents involving public intoxication and safety breaches across the country, prompting calls for stricter enforcement of “dry zone” regulations around holy sites and high-security zones.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
At The Logical Indian, we believe that while the actions of an individual under the influence of alcohol may often be dismissed as a moment of temporary insanity, this incident highlights a profound failure of institutional vigilance.
Desecrating a place of worship through such behaviour is deeply disrespectful to the faith of millions, yet the focus must also lie on the systemic gaps that allowed such a breach.
We advocate for a balance between welcoming devotees and maintaining a “bulletproof” security infrastructure that ensures the sanctity of our heritage sites is never compromised. We must treat our cultural landmarks with the reverence they deserve while also addressing the root causes of public substance abuse.
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