The Andhra Pradesh High Court has held that it is not right to divert funds belonging to the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) for other purposes than religious purposes. It has objected to the state government’s argument that TTD funds can be spent on construction and repair of roads for the convenience of devotees.
It has questioned whether the 6-lane national highway can be widened to 8 lanes with TTD funds as devotees are coming from Tamil Nadu? The High Court has directed the state government, Tirupati Urban Development Authority (TUDA) and TTD to give their stand on the orders issued during the previous government’s tenure allowing TTD funds to be used for construction of roads and sanitation works within the Tirupati Corporation.
A bench comprising Chief Justice of the High Court Justice Dheeraj Singh Thakur and Justice Chimalapati Ravi gave orders to this effect. BJP leader G. Bhanuprakash Reddy filed a PIL in the High Court in 2023, challenging the EO’s approval to use approximately Rs. 100 crore of TTD funds annually for the sanitation work of roads and colonies under the Tirupati Municipal Corporation.
The bench that heard the case at that time ruled that the money given to the God by devotees cannot be spent as per one’s wish. TTD officials had previously been ordered not to release the money. This case came up for hearing in the High Court.
Petitioner’s lawyer Regulagadda Venkatesh clarified that diverting TTD funds for other purposes is against the provisions of the Endowments Act. He said that the funds should be used only for the welfare of Hindu religion and devotees. The TTD lawyer made arguments that a decision on this matter had to be taken in the wake of the formation of a new board.
When the bench asked what the government’s stance was, Special Government Counsel (SGP) Pranathi replied that TTD funds could be spent on road construction and sanitation for the convenience of devotees. The bench objected to that argument.
