On Wednesday, the Supreme Court asked the Tirupati Tirumala Devasthanam (TTD) to respond to allegations of irregularities in the conduct of 'sevas' and rituals at the Tirupati Temple.

The Bench was hearing an appeal filed by one Srivari Daadaa, a devotee of Lord Venkateshwara Swamy, challenging the order of Andhra Pradesh High Court, which had dismissed his Public Interest Litigation (PIL) seeking directions to TTD to rectify the method of performing rituals and 'seva' to Lord Sri Venkateshwara Swamy at the Temple.

The plea had stated that the temple authority has been “performing sevas namely, i) Abhishekam Seva, 2) Thomala Seva, 3) Arjitha Brahmostavam 4) Yekanta Utsavalu (Srivari Varshika Brahmotsavams – 2020) and 5) Maha Laghu Darshan, in a wrongful and irregular procedure".

The HC of Andhra Pradesh then said that the PIL was not maintainable since the procedure of conducting rituals is the exclusive domain of the Devasthanam and cannot be a matter of adjudication unless it impacts secular or civil rights of others.

A Bench headed by the Chief Justice of India NV Ramana, sought to know about the representation filed by the petitioner before the Devasthanam and asked the counsel of TTD to apprise it on what happened to the representation.

"He is bringing to notice of you (TTD) and the court that there are some irregularities in the conduct of ceremonies and puja. It's not about legal rights. I am a devotee of Balaji, also my brother and sister Judges," said CJI.

"We are all devotees of Balaji and expect that all rituals will be conducted according to the traditions," CJI Ramana added.

However, the Bench also noted that the issue may not be able to interfere in the matter since it is not related to legal rights but expects that all rituals will be conducted according to the traditions.

The bench said, “Can we interfere into it (rituals) as to when and how ‘puja’ has to be conducted...this is the Constitutional court and not a ‘kuchehri’ (lower court) where you can say anything" as quoted by LiveMint.

The hearing is postponed to 6 October. “Learned counsel appearing on behalf of the respondent (Tirupathi Tirumala Devasthanam) prays for and is granted one week’s time to get instructions about the representation dated March 18, 2020, sent by the petitioner-in person to the respondent. List the matter after one week," the bench said in the order.

Image Courtesy: LiveLaw