In a significant judicial intervention into the management of sacred offerings at one of India’s holiest temples, the Andhra Pradesh High Court has stepped in to scrutinise serious systemic lapses in the handling of hundi collections at the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD), following a theft incident that shook devotees worldwide, flagging the urgent need for technology-led reforms and deeper investigation into alleged irregularities.
The controversy began with a theft reported in April 2023 at the Parakamani Complex, where offerings made by devotees to Lord Venkateswara Swamy are counted and accounted for. As the matter reached the Court, sealed investigation records submitted by the CID revealed the detailed process of sealing hundis at the temple, transporting them from Golla Mandapam, and counting offerings at Parakamani, documented extensively through photographs. Counsel appearing for TTD, CID, ACB and the proposed respondent were heard as the Court examined whether outdated, manpower-heavy procedures had left the system vulnerable to pilferage, mishandling and fraud, thereby undermining the faith of millions of devotees across the globe.
Taking a stern view, the Court underscored that the issue transcends mere accounting and strikes at the heart of religious sentiment. Emphasising that the Board of Trustees acts on behalf of the Deity and carries an “indispensable moral and religious obligation” towards devotees, the Court observed that archaic methods can no longer continue unchecked. In a striking observation, the bench noted that “the archaic methods and out-dated procedures that were adopted from times immemorial are now required to be done away in order to avoid activities of theft, pilferage, mishandling and misappropriations.”
Stressing that the value of offerings is not just monetary but carries “invisible, intangible and immeasurable religious sentiments,” the Court directed TTD to prepare a two-tier reform strategy, Plan-A for immediate corrective measures within two weeks, and Plan-B for permanent reforms through mechanisation, computerisation, digitalisation and even Artificial Intelligence, including AI-assisted segregation of currencies, precious metals and other valuables.
The Court further directed the DGP-ACB to submit, in a sealed cover within a week, a detailed report on the movable and immovable assets of the concerned individual and his family, as the investigation continues. Consequently, the matter has been listed for further compliance and hearing on reforms on 26 December 2025.
Case Title: M Sreenivasulu Vs. The State of Andhra Pradesh & Ors.
Case No.: Writ Petition No: 1294 of 2025
Coram: Justice Gannamaneni Ramakrishna Prasad
Advocate for Petitioner: Adv. Srinivasulu Kurra
Advocate for Respondent: Adv. C.S. Srikar, Uday Kumar Vampugadavala, GP for Endowments, C Srinivasa Baba
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