Swamy told to approach HC on TTD jurisdiction HC gives 3 weeks to appoint artistes

New Delhi, Sept 17: The Supreme Court on Monday asked BJP leader Subramanian Swamy to move the Hyderabad High Court with his plea which challenged the provisions of an Andhra Pradesh law by which the administration and control of Hindu religious institutions are taken over by the state government.

A bench of Justices R.F. Nariman and Indu Malhotra asked the BJP leader to approach the High Court for remedy.

Dr Swamy in his plea had challenged the constitutional validity of various provisions of the Andhra Pradesh Charitable and Hindu Religious Institutions and Endowments Act, 1987. He had contended that the Tirumala Tirupathi Devasthanams, including the Venkateswara Swamy temple at Tirumala, the Sri Padmavathi temple in Tiruchanur and another 11 temples in AP, were the richest in India in terms of annual income and asset holdings.

Dr Swamy said that under the guise of sanction provided in the law to administer the religious institutions, the AP government had “virtually usurped the fundamental religious, administrative and cultural rights of Hindu citizens and denominations...”.

He said the hereditary trustees, archakas and other temple-oriented communities who account for a major source of offerings and funds of the religious institutions, had become “passive observers and onlookers with practically no say in religious matters.” and calling for applications from eligible candidates.

The bench directed the authorities to issue the notification within three weeks and invite applications for the posts and complete the appointment process within three months.

The officials moved an application before the bench seeking extension of time to complete the process. While expressing their displeasure at the officials not implementing the court order, the bench granted three weeks.