Tirupati Officials Crackdown on Illegal Constructions on Mutt, Government Lands
The disputed properties, located in survey numbers 145 and 147 in Tirupati Urban and Rural mandals, have been the centre of an ongoing legal battle.
Tirupati: Despite a status quo order of Andhra Pradesh High Court, illegal constructions have resumed on lands belonging to the Hathiramji and Parakala mutts in Tirupati, prompting the district administration to initiate action and issue warnings against violators.
The disputed properties, located in survey numbers 145 and 147 in Tirupati Urban and Rural mandals, have been the centre of an ongoing legal battle. The AP High Court had directed a status quo on these lands. However, based on complaints that constructions are continuing in violation of the order, district collector Dr. S. Venkateswar ordered an inspection.
Revenue divisional officer (RDO) Ram Mohan, tahsildar Ramanjaneyulu Naik, Endowments executive officer Bapireddy and police officials jointly visited the disputed sites. During the inspection, they found that Narasimha Reddy, who had obtained land from Parakala Mutt, continued carrying out constructions on the disputed land despite court orders.
Officials then summoned individuals involved and issued strict instructions to immediately halt all activities. “Violating the status quo amounts to contempt of court. Legal action will be initiated against those who ignore judicial directions,” officials warned.
In a related case involving survey number 146 of Avilala village, poramboke land classified as a canal adjacent to the Hathiramji Mutt has been encroached. Despite notices issued by the revenue department, there had been no response. When officials attempted to remove the encroachments, a person named Sethu Madhav, along with others, obstructed the tahsildar and revenue staff, claiming that the land is part of survey number 147, not 146.
Officials clarified that the land in question is government property, designated as a water body. It is thus also protected under Supreme Court guidelines. Encroachments on such land will not be allowed, they underlined.
Revenue and endowments teams have warned Sethu Madhav and others against ignoring court orders, which would lead to legal consequences. Cases will be filed against anyone found violating these directives, officials reiterated.
Collector Venkateswar has made it clear that the administration will not tolerate illegal occupation or construction on either mutt lands or government poramboke lands. “Respect for court orders is non-negotiable. Strict legal action will be taken against any form of encroachment,” he underlined.
