In a little relief to senior Telugu Desam Party leader and former Union minister P Ashok Gajapathi Raju, the Andhra Pradesh high court on Thursday restored his trusteeship in the Ramatirtham temple in Vizianagaram district.
The high court struck down the orders issued by the state government, removing Raju from the trusteeship of Ramatirtham and two other temples, including Paidithalli temple and Mandapalli temple in the same district on the ground that he had failed to protect the temples.
The orders were issued following a petition filed by the TDP leader.
“I am happy that I have got an opportunity once again to render service to Lord Rama in Ramatirtham temple,” Ashok Gajapathi Raju said.
The former Union minister, however, continues to be stripped of his position as chairman of the prestigious Simhachalam temple in Visakhapatnam. The Jagan government removed him as the chairman of MANSAS trust established by his father.
He was replaced by his niece Sanchaita Gajapathi Raju, who has taken over all the trusts belonging to the royal family. Raju is still waging a legal battle against the government’s decision in this regard.