Hyderabad HC pulls up Andhra govt, TTD for releasing temple funds to private trust

The Hyderabad High Court directed the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) on Tuesday, to not release any more funds to the Hindu Dharma Parirakshana Trust (HDPT), a private organisation that was reportedly being run by a retired bureaucrat.

Finding fault with a Government Order (GO) issued by Andhra in February, which asked the TTD to release Rs 50 lakh to the trust every month, the court also questioned the transfer of funds to a private entity. 

The HC was hearing a petition filed by an Andhra man, which sought the court's intervention to quash the GO. 

The Times of India reported that the petitioner's counsel argued that the GO was in violation of section 111 of the AP Charitable and Hindu Religious and Endowments Act, 1987.

Section 111 stated that the funds of the TTD should be "deposited in such Bank or Treasury or be invested in such securities in accordance with such guidelines as may be issued by the Government in this behalf."

It also lists out the various activities for which these funds can be released.

However, there is no guideline on releasing these funds to a private organisation.

The TOI report also quoted the HC bench as saying, "Who are you to ask TTD to disburse funds? Don't disburse any further funds...This is not a new phenomenon. Everybody feels TTD is part of the government...TTD shall not release any funds to the trust." 

The HC has now issued notices to Principal Secretary to Revenue (Endowments), TTD's Executive Officer and the Trust Chairman.