VIJAYAWADA: During Question Hour in the Legislative Council on Thursday, Endowments Minister Anam Ramanarayana Reddy revealed that criminal action was initiated against V Ramana Kumar, Deputy Superintendent of Police, K Haranath Reddy, Director of Sri Venkateswara Gosamrakshanashala, and the in-charge of Ramananidu High School Token Centre, in connection with the tragic stampede during Vaikunta Ekadasi at Tirupati in January 2025.
The minister also stated that suitable action would be taken against M Gowthami, Joint Executive Officer (JEO), Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD), based on the findings of the Judicial Commission led by retired Justice M Satyanarayana Murthy, constituted to probe the incident. He made the disclosure during a heated debate on the question raised by YSRCP MLCs.
In a related development, the TTD has transferred and relieved M Gowthami and S Sreedhar, IPS, Chief Vigilance & Security Officer, TTD, with alternative arrangements made.
Suspension orders were also served on K Haranath Reddy, who was responsible for SSD tokens and darshan tickets.
As a humanitarian measure, TTD sanctioned Rs 2.56 crore as ex gratia, disbursing Rs 25 lakh to the families of the deceased, Rs 5 lakh to the severely injured, and Rs 2 lakh to other injured devotees.
In a separate incident, the minister addressed the wall collapse at Simhachalam Temple during Chandanotsavam on April 30, 2025, which claimed seven lives and injured one devotee.
A preliminary report identified lapses in design and execution, leading to criminal proceedings against DG Srinivasa Raju, Executive Engineer (Simhachalam Devasthanam), K Ramana, Executive Engineer (APTDC), and contractor K Lakshminarayana. The investigation is ongoing.
Additionally, the government suspended K Subba Rao, Deputy Collector & Executive Officer (FAC), Simhachalam Devasthanam, DG Srinivasa Raju, EE, and KSN Murthy, AE (FAC Deputy EE), while discontinuing the services of K Babji, Contract Assistant Executive Engineer.
Disciplinary proceedings are set to be initiated against the suspended officers. The government also disbursed Rs 1.78 crore as ex gratia, releasing Rs 25 lakh to the families of the 7 deceased devotees and Rs 3 lakh to injured devotee.