A major misappropriation scam has come to light in the famous Indrakeeladri Temple in Vijayawada, where 33,686 sarees, whose value is estimated at ₹1.67 crore, have mysteriously disappeared. Despite the appalling scale of this loss, it is alleged that the previous YSRCP-headed government covered up the report of the investigation and how the culprits evaded justice.
The issue first came to light in October 2019 when a routine cash audit uncovered a ₹11.61 lakh discrepancy in the saree department. Subrahmanyam was the Junior Assistant who had looked after the department from May 2018 to August 2019. He was suspended on five charges initially but was brought back in March 2020. The situation went haywire in June 2022, and a follow-up audit found that 77 silk sarees were absent from the store worth ₹6.49 lakh, resulting in Subrahmanyam being suspended again, this time for seven charges.
In December 2022, a detailed investigation led by AEO P. Sudharani exposed the full scale of the scam. The investigation revealed that an astonishing 33,686 sarees, worth ₹1.66 crore, had gone missing, with no official records of orders, indents, or sales. Worse still, the investigation found that several sarees were sold multiple times, and some sacred sarees used for the Khadgamala Puja were illicitly sold to devotees. The inquiry also uncovered another discrepancy of ₹1.42 lakh related to 566 sarees.
Despite the committee’s recommendations to recover the ₹1.67 crore within 10 days, no action has been taken. The accused official approached the courts, which instructed the Endowments Department to issue new notices and explanations. A new investigation was assigned to the Kanipakam EO, but it has yet to show any progress. Shockingly, Subrahmanyam has resumed his duties, despite the evidence of wrongdoing.
This ongoing inaction by the Endowments Department has raised concerns about the lack of transparency and accountability within the temple administration. The public is demanding swift corrective action to address this scandal and restore faith in the system that oversees religious institutions.