1,400 Acres of Warangal Temple Land Under Encroachment: Hindu Parishad
He added that lands associated with temples such as Padmakshi Temple, Mettugutta Temple and Erragattugutta Temple were also under alleged illegal occupation.
Warangal: State president of the Rashtriya Hindu Parishad (RHP), Chikati Raju, on Wednesday levelled allegations of corruption and administrative negligence against endowments department assistant commissioner Ramala Sunitha in Warangal district.
Addressing a press conference at the Hanamkonda Press Club, he alleged that the official had failed to safeguard temple lands and had ignored financial irregularities in several temples.
Raju claimed that large extents of temple land had been encroached upon, including about 670 acres belonging to the Sanur Venkateswara Swamy Temple and 400 acres linked to the Battala Bazar Venkateswara Swamy Temple. He further alleged loss of 400 acres attached to the Kunti Bhadraiah Temple, a sub-temple of the Bhadrakali Temple.
He added that lands associated with temples such as Padmakshi Temple, Mettugutta Temple and Erragattugutta Temple were also under alleged illegal occupation.
On financial matters, Raju alleged a fraud of ₹56 lakh at the Bhadrakali Temple linked to VIP protocols and special services, claiming that it was not investigated. He also referred to alleged irregularities in temple offerings, including a “Pulihora scam”, and theft of gold and silver ornaments, stating that no police cases had been registered and no recoveries made.
He further alleged administrative lapses, including recruitment of persons from other religions in the endowments office in violation of rules and inaction over illegal mining on temple lands in Hasanparthy.
Raju also alleged that temple land held by a relative of the official had not been recovered, and claimed that while lower-level staff faced action for minor lapses, those responsible for larger irregularities were being protected. The RHP demanded an immediate inquiry into the allegations. It warned of protests if action was not taken to recover encroached lands and address the issues raised.
