Supreme Court Dismisses Plea Challenging Use Of Tirumala Tirupathi Devasthanam's Property For New Collectorate

The Supreme Court on Wednesday dismissed a petition challenging the use of Padmavathi Nilayam, a multi storey complex which was built for devotees of Tirumala Tirupathi Devasthanam (TTD)  for the establishment of the Collectorate for the newly formed Sri Balaji district.

The special leave petition was filed by BJP Leader GP Reddy assailing the Andhra Pradesh High Court's order which vacated the stay on the handing over of the Devasthanam's property to the district administration.

The bench of Justices DY Chandrachud, Surya Kant and Bela M Trivedi refused to entertain the petition saying that it was filed challenging an interlocutory order. The bench also said that it was bearing in mind the element of public interest.

What Transpired In The Supreme Court Today?

When the matter was called for hearing, Senior Advocate Dama Sheshadri Naidu for the petitioner Gudipalli Bhanu Prakash Reddy submitted that the Padhmavathi Nilayam, a property belonging to TTD, could only have been used for the benefit/betterment of the interests of the Deity at Tirumala or the Devotees and that the same could not have been diverted for the purposes such as administrative offices of the Government.

"It is a religious property which could not have been used for administration. It goes on for eternity. It has been meant for the public. They cannot impinge on someone's property. Its expropertaition," counsel further added.

"Government has to make some arrangements when it creates a new district. Some exigent measures have to be taken. Leave it. You can make an arguable case of anything," remarked Justice Chandrachud at this juncture.

"Establishment of a new Collectorate is a development step. You can't expect the collectorate to work in a public street or under trees. It's a temporary measure," Justice Surya Kant further added.

Accordingly, the bench, while considering that the proceedings had emanated from an interlocutory order, the bench declined to entertain the SLP.

Pursuant to the bench pronouncing the order, Senior Advocate Dama Sheshadri Naidu requested the bench to add a line in the order that the take over will be subject to final outcome.

Expressing its disinclination to accede to the counsel's request, Justice Chandrachud said, "These are things which we should leave to the government and the democracy. Let it leave to the government, they are answerable to the people. Once the SC says it, there is a cloud. Our saying so specifically will have very wide ramifications."

The petition was filed through Advocate Amit Pai.

Background

TTD on October 2, 2019 had inaugurated a complex called as "Padmavathi Nilayam" which in 2020 was given on lease to Andhra Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation for the purpose of providing accommodation to the Devotees. In 2020 it was handed over to the District Administration to turn it into a CoVID Quarantine Centre. In 2022, the Government of Andhra Pradesh issued draft gazette notification for formation of new districts which included Sri Balaji District with its headquarters at Tirupati. While the process of formation of new districts was underway, (District Collector Chittor) addressed a letter to the TTD for handing over of Padmavathi Nilayam for the establishment of the new collectorate which the TTD resolved to do the same vide board resolution dated 17.02.2022.

Aggrieved, Petitioner filed a writ petition before the Hon'ble High Court in which a limited interim protection was granted on March 22, 2022 but the same was vacated on March 24, 2022.

Case Title: Gudipalli Bhanu Prakash Reddy Vs. The District Collector| Diary Number 9413/2022

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