V NARAYANA Vs. TIRUMALA TIRUPATHI DEVASTHANAMS

JUDGEMENT

(1.) THE petitioner occupied a very high position in the administration of one of the sacred organizations, Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD). However, his levels of morality appear to be totally disproportionate.

(2.) THE employees of the TTD formed a cooperative bank, the second respondent herein. THE Executive Officer of the TTD is the Ex-officio Chairman of the second respondent. THE petitioner raised Rs.20,000/- (Rupees twenty thousand only) as additional housing loan and Rs.15,000/- (Rupees fifteen thousand only) as general loan from the second respondent bank. As against this, he repaid Rs.7,967/- (Rupees seven thousand nine hundred and sixty seven only) and Rs,2,200 (Rupees two thousand two hundred only) respectively. He retired from service on 30.6.2000. THEre was due of about Rs.45,000/- (Rupees forty five thousand only) by the time he retired. THE respondents deducted that amount from the gratuity payable to the petitioner. Initially, he approached the District Consumer Forum and his case was dismissed. THErefore, he filed Writ Petition No.11123 of 2003 complaining of the said deduction. THE Writ Petition was disposed of leaving it open to the petitioner to make a representation and the respondents were directed to pass a detailed order. THE petitioner made such representation on 04.7.2003. THE Executive Officer passed an order dated 03.9.2003 rejecting the claim of the petitioner. THE said order is challenged in this Writ Petition.

(3.) HEARD Sri P.B. Vijaya Kumar, learned Counsel for the petitioner, and Sri M. Adinarayana Raju, learned Counsel for the respondents.