Fact Finding Committee on Islamic University near Tirupati
The three member Fact Finding Committee constituted by Tirumala Tirupati Samrakshana Samithi after the construction of a huge building near Tirupati in the name of Islamic University, has cautioned the Government of India and other agencies to act promptly and decisively in this matter, as it could pose a grave security threat to the entire country.
“A country which faces several security threats both internally and externally cannot be overcautious in these matters. Alarm bells are ringing all around. The attack on Aksharadham, the Parliament and in particular the recent incident in Puttur on October 5, 2013 and sleeper cells of terrorists everywhere and several other incidents in Andhra Pradesh and elsewhere remind us of the problems abounding. The Committee sincerely hopes that the Government and other concerned authorities would act promptly and decisively in this matter,” the Committee said in its report released on November 29. A copy of the report was also presented to Andhra Pradesh Governor on December 4.
The Committee was headed by Justice S Parvatha Rao, former High Court Judge, Andhra Pradesh. Shri TS Rao, IPS (retd) and former Director General of Police, Andhra Pradesh was convener of the committee, while Dr C Umamaheswara Rao, IAS (Retd) was member. After a preliminary meeting in Hyderabad on October 10, the Committee visited Tirupati from November 11 to 12 in order to know the facts. The Committee met Collector and Jt. Collector of Chittoor District in Chittoor, JEO of Tirumala Tirupathi Devasthanam at Tirumala, Superintendent of Police (Urban) in Tirupati and vice president of TUDA in Tirupati.
Recommendations
p Security agencies should evaluate a possible threat from the newly constructed building which is shrouded in secrecy and initiate action to safeguard Tirumala Tirupati Divya Kshetram and the pilgrims.
p Investigation should be thoroughly carried out as regards the source of funding under the various statutes and laws of the land.
p Income Tax Department should investigate into the income and expenditure of Heera Group of Companies etc. and in particular this Society and ascertain whether accounts are maintained and audited and whether returns are being filed by them regularly and got assessed.
p Illegal structure beyond the plan for which technical clearance was given by TUDA vide its Order dated 08.03.2010 should be demolished and encroachments on the government lands should be removed after evacuating all persons illegally occupying the premises and the building in question. The remaining structure should be used by the Society only for running educational institutions.
p Alternatively, TTD may be requested to take over the building and use it for its purposes without any compensation for the building because it is an illegal structure and if at all, considering the payment of the cost price of the land purchased by the applicant after ascertaining that the source of money is legal or alternatively, Padmavathi Mahila University may be requested to take over the building after the government resumes the same for running an educational institution in the area in accordance with their mandate.
p The illegal structures like pillars behind the rear compound wall of the building in question on the river side have to be removed/demolished.
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