Supreme Court Seeks Tirupathi Tirumala Devasthanam's Response To Devotee's Plea Alleging Irregularities In Rituals

The Supreme Court on Wednesday asked the Tirupathi Tirumala Devasthanam to respond to a grievance made by a devotee of Lord Venkateshwara Swamy alleging irregularities in conduct of 'sevas' and rituals at the Tirupathi Temple, and clarify the same to the court.

A Bench comprising the Chief Justice of India NV Ramana, Justice Surya Kant and Justice Hima Kohli was hearing a special leave petition filed challenging the order of Andhra Pradesh High Court dismissing a PIL filed by the petitioner, seeking directions to Tirumala Tirupathi Devasthanam to rectify the method of performing rituals and seva to Lord Sri Venkateshwara Swamy at the Temple.

The Bench will take up the matter on October 6th next. 

During the hearing, Bench indicated that the Court may not be able to interfere in the manner in which a pooja is conducted or the number of people who conduct it.

However, after being informed that a representation has been filed by the petitioner before the Devasthanam, the Bench inquired about the same and asked the Counsel appearing for Tirumala Devasthanam to find out what happened and get back to the Court.

While saying that it may not be a matter of legal right, CJI Ramana further said that he along with his brother and sister Judges are all devotees of Balaji and expect that all rituals will be conducted according to the traditions.

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

The Bench also told the petitioner in person Srivari Daadaa that as a devotee of Balaji, he should be patient and not threaten the Registry to list the matter. Interestingly, CJI Ramana interacted with the petitioner(appearing in person) in Telugu for a while.

According to the petitioner, the Devasthanam is performing sevas namely, Abhishekam Seva, Thomala Seva, Arjitha Brahmostavam, Yekanta Utsavalu (Srivari Varshika Brahmotsavams – 2020) and Maha Laghu Darshan, in a wrongful and irregular procedure and the method of holding the rituals should therefore be rectified.

The High Court through its impugned order had held that the PIL was not maintainable for 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.

Further, the High Court had held that the Devasthanam cannot be said to be discharging public duties in the matter of conducting rituals. Such activities falling within ecclesiastical domain are not amenable to writ jurisdiction at the behest of an outsider.

Case Title: Srivari Daadaa vs Tirupathi Tirumala Devasthanam|SLP(C) No. 6554/2021

The HC order available here

Click Here To Read/ Download Order