Probe begins into Sripada temple funds embezzlement  

Pithapuram: Annavaram temple officials V Trinadha Rao (RJC) and E Ramesh Babu on Wednesday probed into allegations against Sripada Srivallabha temple EO Chandaka Darababu’s ‘high-handed behaviour’ towards the staff members.

They recorded the statements of Jitendra, also an EO, and the victims. The RJC said no CCTV footage was available against Darababu. 
At the behest of Endowments Commissioner Anuradha, they are probing into developments after seizure of temple’s property by Endowments department. A comprehensive report would be submitted to the Commissioner soon.  

After the seizure, 13 persons were recruited without notice to Commissioner. Similarly, salaries of 54 employees were hiked between Rs 500 and Rs 10,000 from December. There was no evidence for Rs 9 crore temple funds embezzlement as stated by Darababu. 

The temple has Rs 4 crore in bank FDs. Regarding expenditure of balance Rs 5 crore, the bank statements are under scrutiny, he said. He lamented over non-cooperative attitude of temple staff to probing officials. 

On abstaining from tribunal’s February 5 hearing, he said lack of communication from temple staff. However, he hastened to add that February 12 hearing was attended. 

Meanwhile, Annavaram Devasthanam temple employees’ union president YSR Murthy and secretary B Satya Srinivas complained to officials on high-handed behaviour of Darababu.