Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Wednesday wrote to Hyderabad High Court Acting Chief Justice Ramesh Ranganathan demanding a probe by a sitting judge, into the row around the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD).
Naidu requested that the sitting judge must look into the allegations and go through the records before making their final report public.
"As the sensitivity of the issue reached alarming proportions and any amount of counter justification that all is well either by the TTD or the Government, is unable to provide solace to the public at large and devotees in particular... I request ... (you to) scrutinise the procedures in vogue,” the letter stated.
“I am to request your good self to appoint a sitting High Court judge to take stock of the allegations, verify the records, inspect the jewellery/ornaments/assets, scrutinise the procedures in vogue, and place a report in public domain so as to bring a quietus to the issue at question as was done on earlier occasions,” Naidu added.
Former TTD chief priest Ramana Deekshithulu was sacked in May by authorities on the grounds that he exceeded the retirement age limit.
However, this unceremonious sacking came after he levelled shocking allegations against the TTD administration of financial irregularities, and also raised suspicion that several precious ornaments from the temple were missing.
Since then, the TDP has been lashing out at Deekshitulu and vehemently denying his charges.
On Wednesday, TDP leader Y Srinivas Sesha Sai Babu lodged a complaint with In-charge Chief Secretary Anil Chandra Punetha seeking action against Deekshitulu, stating that the ex-TTD chief priest misused his position for personal gains.
While the TTD authorities have rubbished the allegations made by Deekshithulu, they were reluctant to show the precious ornaments donated over the centuries, claiming that the Agama Shastra doesn’t permit them to put the ornaments on display.
However, just days ago, TTD chairman Putta Sudhakar Yadav informed reporters that all the jewellery would be put on display for the media soon, so that they can see the deliberate misinformation being spread about TTD.