AP HC orders status quo on distribution of temple land parcels

VIJAYAWADA: The AP high court on Wednesday questioned the Andhra Pradesh government over the distribution of temple land parcels for house sites to the poor. The court, after hearing a PIL, said “anything can happen in your state”, referring to the government pleader. Temple lands have become easy targets for the government to acquire, it observed.
One Kottakota Balakrishna, president of Sri Durga Bhavani Seva Sangham from Gumpam village under Pusapatirega mandal in Vizianagaram district, moved the PIL, seeking directions to stall all further proceedings by to distribute house sites in an extent of 0.51 acres of land belonging to the temple.He contended that taking temple land for distribution of house sites is illegal and arbitrary.
The bench of Justice Rakesh Kumar and Justice J Uma Devi observed that the revenue records suggest that the land belongs to the temple. The bench questioned as to how the government could distribute temple lands. Directing to maintain status quo, the court asked the government to file a detailed counter affidavit within four weeks.