Telangana HC dismisses PIL on Tirupati prasadam over jurisdiction

Telangana High Court dismissed a PIL on alleged use of non-indigenous ingredients in Tirupati temple offerings, holding it lacked territorial jurisdiction and that the matter falls under the Andhra Pradesh High Court’s jurisdiction

Hyderabad: Chief Justice Aparesh Kumar Singh and Justice GM Mohiuddin of the Telangana High Court on Tuesday dismissed a public interest litigation after sustaining an objection raised by the Registry on the issue of territorial jurisdiction.

The PIL was filed by Yuga Thulasi Foundation and others raising concerns over the alleged use of impure and non-indigenous ingredients in the preparation of ‘naivedyam’ and ‘prasadam’ at the Tirupati Balaji temple.

---

The petition sought directions to the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) to strictly adhere to its own resolutions mandating the use of indigenous cow milk and ghee in offerings, claiming that any deviation affected the sanctity of worship and the religious rights of devotees. At the threshold, the Registry objected to the maintainability of the PIL, stating that the subject matter squarely related to Tirupati and the administration of TTD, which falls within the territorial jurisdiction of the Andhra Pradesh High Court.

Agreeing with the Registry’s objection, the Division Bench held that the PIL could not be entertained by the Telangana High Court. The Court accordingly dismissed the petition, observing that the petitioner must approach the appropriate High Court having jurisdiction.