Tirumala, 21 October 2023: The division bench has struck down the order given by the single bench of the High Court to provide an opportunity to the devotees who booked Arjita Seva tickets during the Covid-19 period. It has directed the petitioners to use the facilities provided to the remaining devotees who had booked service tickets during that period.
It may be recalled that Srivari darshan has been cancelled for TTD devotees in the wake of the spread of the Covid-19 Pandemic. As a part of this, TTD has also cancelled Arjita Sevas including Melchat Vastram and Abhishekam. And given the devotees who have booked tickets in advance two options either it will refund the ticket money or avail the darshan facility as provided by TTD in the place of the canceled Arjita Sevas.
About 16 thousand devotees could not participate in the Arjita Seva during the Covid period. Some availed the darshan provided by TTD, While for a few others TTD has refunded the amount. However, 16 devotees knocked on the doors of the High Court to order the TTD to allow them to participate only in the Arjita Sevas booked by them several years ago.
The Single Judge directed that the petitioners be given an opportunity to participate in the Arjita Sevas booked by them as the Pandemic Covid subsided. In the wake of this, TTD appealed to the division bench.
The TTD Standing Council explained to the Division Bench that the petitioners could not be given the opportunity to participate in the Arjita Seva as the devotees had booked the Arjita Seva tickets decades before. Agreeing with this interpretation, the judges directed the petitioners to avail of either of the two facilities provided by the TTD that is either to get a refund for the Arjita Sevas they booked or to avail the Darshan provided by TTD setting aside the orders passed by the single judge.
ISSUED BY TTD PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER, TIRUPATI
