AP govt removes businessman from TTD after IT raids

Andhra Pradesh government today formally issued an order removing tainted Chennai-based businessman J Sekhar as member of Board of Trustees of Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams.
The Income Tax Department and the Central Bureau of Investigation seized over Rs 131 crore in cash and 127 kg of gold from Sekhar during raids on his properties in the last three days.
Yesterday, Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu had directed officials to remove Sekhar from the TTD Board.
The Chief Minister told reporters last night that Sekhar was appointed to the TTD on the recommendation of the AIADMK government in Tamil Nadu.
"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," Principal Secretary (Revenue, Endowments) J S V Prasad said in an order today.

"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 Devasthanams, Tirupati, with immediate effect, since he acted adverse to the TTD," the Principal Secretary added.
Reddy was appointed as TTD member in May 2015.