HC calls for explanation from Arasavilli temple EO for lapse in protocol

Vijayawada: The AP High Court on Monday called for an explanation from the Lord Suryanarayana temple executive officer Surya Prakash over protocol violation involving a High Court judge.

Justice T. Rajasekhar Rao of the AP High Court had visited the temple at Arasavilli in Srikakulam district early on Sunday. The temple authorities failed to offer ‘Purna Kumbh’ to the judge.

It was stated that the temple authorities had made arrangements to welcome the judge with temple honours and perform all rituals as per protocol and had prepared the ‘Purna Kumbh’ and secured it in the sanctum sanatorium of the temple. However, chief priest I. Sankara Sharma went out to attend a family ritual at the time of visit of the judge, entrusting the task of welcoming the judge to other archakas. The archakas failed to offer the Purna Kumbh to the judge, it was stated.

The judge reportedly expressed his displeasure over this.

Endowments commissioner M. Hari Jawaharlal called for an explanation from the temple executive officer for the lapse.

Based on directions from the endowments commissioner, the temple chief priest was placed under suspension pending inquiry.

Meanwhile, temple EO appeared before the High Court’s Registrar (protocol) on Monday.

Temple executive officer Surya Prakash said, “We had made all arrangements for the visit of the High Court judge on Sunday morning. Due to lack of coordination among the temple staff, the temple's main priest failed to offer ‘Purna Kumbh’ to the Judge while welcoming him into the temple. We regret the lapse.”