Union law ministry rejects appeal by TTD former priests

Samayam Telugu: The union law ministry has rejected appeal by a former priests of Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) and asked him to approach the state government.

In their appeal,

Ramana Dikshuthulu

and three other priests, who were removed from their posts, had claimed that they were removed 'unilaterlay'.

Replying to the appeal by the priests, union law ministry stated that the retirement issue falls under the jurisdiction of the state government and Centre cannot interfere in the issue. Read this story in Telugu

The TTD Trust Board passed a resolution to state that all 'mirasi archakas' (hereditary priests) must be retired on reaching the age of 65. Following this decision, chief priest Ramana Deekshitulu and three other priests Narasimha Deekshitulu, Srinivasa Murthy Deekshitulu and Narayana Deekshitulu, had to demit their positions.

Post-retirement, Ramana Dikshitulu had levelled serious allegation against TTD. He accused the TTD, the government-appointed body that manages the temple, of diverting temple funds and theft of precious jewellery 'of the Lord'. He has alleged that jewellery donated by Mysuru Maharajahs and King

Krishnadevaraya

are missing.

Venugopala Deekshitulu had replaced 69-year-old Ramana Deekshitulu as head priest at the Lord Venkateswara temple Tirumala.