Chennai: J Sekhar Reddy, alias ‘Isuku’ Sekhar, who was an influential PWD sand mining contractor in Tamil Nadu, was sacked from Tirulmala Tirupati Devasthanam board by the Andhra Pradesh government on Sunday following income-tax raids at his premises and seizure of cash Rs 131 crore and 177 kg gold over the last few days. Reddy was appointed as TTD member in May 2015 on a recommendation from the Tamil Nadu government. Reddy is believed to be a benami of a senior TN bureaucrat besides having links with ministers and politicians.
The AP government formally issued an order removing the tainted Reddy as member of board of TTD trustees on Sunday. On Saturday AP chief minister Chandrababu Naidu had directed officials to remove Sekhar from the TTD Board. Chandrababu Naidu on Saturday night had revealed to reporters that Reddy was appointed to TTD on the recommendation of the AIADMK government in Tamil Nadu.
On Sunday J S V Prasad, principal secretary, revenue and endowments, AP, noted that Reddy’s actions had brought disrepute to the holiest Hindu shrine in the world.
“Though J. Sekhar has not been involved in any irregularity concerning TTD matters, his actions have nevertheless attracted adverse public attention, which has brought disrepute to the holiest Hindu shrine in the world. Hence his actions have attracted section 19(1)(f) of the Andhra Pradesh Charitable & Hindu Religious Institutions and Endowments Act, 1987,” the official said in an order Sunday.
“In exercise of the powers conferred under section 19(1)(f) of the Andhra Pradesh Charitable & Hindu Religious Institutions and Endowments Act-1987, Government hereby orders that J Sekhar shall cease to hold office as Member of the Board of Trustees of Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam, Tirupati, with immediate effect, since he acted adverse to the TTD,” the Principal Secretary added.
