HC disposes plea alleging irregularities in Rs 16 crore Hyderbasthi temple fund

The Telangana High Court has held that Sri Kanyaka Parameswari Devasthana Sangam at Hyderbasti, Secunderabad, is a religious institution bound by the Endowments Act. Disposing of a writ petition alleging irregularities in temple construction and fund management, the Court directed the competent authority to conduct a detailed inquiry and pass appropriate orders.

By Legal Correspondent

Hyderabad: Justice Lakshmi Narayana Alishetty of the Telangana High Court has held that Sri Kanyaka Parameswari Devasthana Sangam at Hyderbasthi, Secunderabad, is a religious institution and is bound to strictly adhere to the provisions of the Endowments Act, observing that any deviation in its governance or administration would amount to mismanagement.

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The observation came while disposing of a writ petition filed by Nagilla Srinivas, President of Telangana Rashtriya Devalaya Parirakshini Samithi, alleging irregularities in the construction of a new temple complex and mismanagement of temple funds, including donations of about Rs.16 crore collected from devotees.

Senior Counsel L. Ravichander, appearing for the petitioner, contended that despite several representations, the Endowments Department had failed to act on allegations concerning unauthorised construction, lack of audit of donations and failure to obtain necessary approvals.

The Court, however, relegated the parties to the competent authority under the Endowments Act for a detailed inquiry into the allegations, including whether the prescribed religious rituals were performed and whether proper procedures were followed in shifting the deity and constructing the new temple complex.

Justice Alishetty directed the competent authority to examine the issues in accordance with the provisions of the Endowments Act and pass appropriate orders after conducting a detailed enquiry.