Tirupati stampede: CM suspends two officials, orders judicial probe

Three officials have been transferred for failing to ensure coordination between the TTD and civil administration

The axe of accountability has fallen on two officials for the death of six devotees in the stampede in Tirupati on Wednesday (January 8, 2025) night. The government announced the suspension of two officials and transfer of three.

Addressing the media here on Thursday, after inspecting the scene of stampede and interacting with the officials, Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu cracked the whip on the erring officials and suspended Deputy Superintendent of Police Ramana Kumar (who opened the gate without prior announcement, leading to the stampede) and TTD’s Sri Venkateswara Gosamrakshanasala (Dairy Farm) Director K. Haranath Reddy (who was in-charge of the token distribution centre).

He also announced the transfer of the TTD’s Joint Executive Officer (Health and Education) M. Gouthami, Chief Vigilance and Security Officer S. Sreedhar and the Superintendent of Police (Tirupati) L. Subbarayudu for failing to ensure coordination between the TTD and civil administration.

Loopholes

Mr. Naidu minced no words when he said that he had indeed found gaping loopholes in coordination among the officials, which had led to the stampede. “More people thronging our Venkateswara temple is a good sign. The administration is also expected to brace itself for such an enhanced crowd situation to avoid such incidents,” he observed.

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Temple practices

Expressing regret at the unfortunate incident, Mr. Naidu said he would not tolerate any form of sacrilege or violation of established practices at the Tirumala temple. In this connection, he referred to the opening of ‘Vaikunta Dwaram’ (sacred threshold) for 10 days during the previous YSR Congress regime. The entrance used to be open for only one or two days in the past, through which devotees pass through on the auspicious day.

“Right from the quality of Prasadam, we are streamlining the situation in all temples. I do not know since when the Vaikunta Dwaram is kept open for 10 days. The practice may be in vogue in temples of other States, but what is unique to Tirumala-Tirupati should be continued. No form of violation is allowed here. It is for the TTD’s Agama pundits to give clarity,” he said.

Mr. Naidu also announced the decision to go for a judicial probe to find out the reasons that led to the stampede. “The probe panel will study the facts and give us a report, based on which we will fix responsibility,” he said.

Published - January 09, 2025 07:42 pm IST