HYDERABAD: In a significant development with regard to the activities of Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD), a public interest litigation petition was filed in the Hyderabad High Court seeking to appoint a committee to look into the alleged hidden treasures in “Nelamaligalu”. The PIL also sought a CBI enquiry into the income and expenditure of the TTD board as also the untraceable antique jewellery of Lord Venkateswara. Besides, it urged for court directions to the Archaeological Survey of India to restore the letter dated May 4 this year declaring TTD and its group of temples located at Tirumala as protected monuments.
Petitioners Anil Kumar Borrugadda from Guntur district of Andhra Pradesh and Bhupendra K Goswami from Gandhi Nagar in Gujarat, in their plea, urged the court to issue interim directions for immediate appointment of a commissioner to take stock of the Nelamaligalu and conduct of religious practices as per the Agama Shastras. The allegations made by the temple’s former head priest (Pradhana Archaka) A V Ramana Deekshithulu should not be replied by personal attack, instead, the issues raised by him should be addressed. The political motives attributed to him by both the AP government and the TTD board members and officials had to be discarded as being instigated by the government.
As for the averment that Ramana Dikshithulu had toured all over the world, they said the pradhana archaka does not even have a passport since the Agama Shastras prohibit the priest families to cross the oceans.
Stating that Gopurama, Pakaras, seven doors, kitchen and well with gold covering and other mandapams would form an integral part of religious sentiments, the petitioners said that these cannot be interfered with by the TTD without taking the opinion of the Agama advisors. They are also against interference of the state government in the activities of the TTD.AP state principal secretary to revenue (endowments), TTD board chairman Putta Sudhakar Yadav, TTD executive officer and member secretary and ASI superintendent were named as the respondents. The matter is expected to come up for hearing before a division bench on Tuesday.
Petitioners’ urge to the High Court
Petitioners Anil Kumar Borrugadda from Guntur district of Andhra Pradesh and Bhupendra K Goswami from Gandhi Nagar in Gujarat, in their plea, urged the High Court to issue interim directions for immediate appointment of a commissioner to take stock of the Nelamaligalu and conduct of religious practices as per the Agama Shastras.