A case has been registered at Bhadrachalam Sri Sitaramachandra Swami Devasthanam involving allegations of sexual abuse. A priest is accused of sexually abusing his daughter-in-law, and the head priest, Podhicheti Sitaramanujacharyu, has been suspended for allegedly hiding this incident from the temple authorities.
In addition to this, the Bhadradri Devasthanam Executive Officer (EO), L Rama Devi, also suspended the priest’s son, Sitaram. This happened after the daughter-in-law filed a complaint on August 14 with the Tadepalligudem town police in Andhra Pradesh. She claimed her uncle sexually assaulted her and that her aunt and other family members harassed her for Rs 10 lakh.
Sources within the temple say the head priests kept quiet about the matter, not informing the Bhadradri Devasthanam officials. Once the incident came to light, the Devasthanam officials reported it to the Commissioner of the Department of Endowments, Hanumantha Rao.
As a result, the chief priests have issued a charge memo to both P Sitaramanuja Charyulu and his son, Sitaram. The Commissioner took the matter seriously and ordered their immediate suspension. Official orders were then issued to suspend both individuals from their duties at the temple.
According to temple sources, this is the first time in the history of Bhadradri Devasthanam that a head priest has been involved in such a serious matter. The case has sparked widespread discussion among the local community.
