SC declines to interfere in Peddireddy’s Bugga Mutt land dispute

Tirupati: Former Minister Peddireddy Ramachandra Reddy will have to pursue his dispute over Sri Bugga Mutt lands before the Endowments Tribunal, after Supreme Court on Monday declined to interfere with Andhra Pradesh High Court’s direction.

A bench of Justice KV Viswanathan and Justice Arun Palli upheld High Court’s order directing Peddireddy to avail the statutory remedy before the Endowments Tribunal. The apex court did not adjudicate the rival ownership claims over the disputed property.

The dispute concerns 3.88 acres of Sri Bugga Mutt land at MR Palli in Tirupati, comprising 1.50 acres in Survey No. 261/1 and 2.38 acres in Survey No 261/2. Endowments Department has alleged that Peddireddy occupied Mutt land and raised constructions on it.

Peddireddy has denied the allegation and claimed rights over 1.465 acres based on registered sale deeds. According to records before the High Court, he purchased two parcels of 47 cents each from D Venkatesam in 1991, while his father, P Lakshma Reddy, purchased 52.5 cents from D Munaswamy in the same year.

Endowments Department issued a show-cause notice to Peddireddy on March 7, 2025. He challenged it before High Court and later sought documents relating to the Mutt’s claim over the property.

On May 16, 2025, the Assistant Commissioner and Executive Officer of Sri Bugga Mutt directed him to remove the alleged encroachment within 10 days. Peddireddy challenged the order.

High Court’s Division Bench, on July 3, 2025, set aside the order after the State conceded that he had not been given a proper hearing. The authorities were directed to furnish relevant documents and conduct fresh proceedings after considering his explanation. Following the fresh proceedings, Endowments authorities on January 30, 2026, again held Peddireddy to be in unauthorised occupation and ordered removal of the alleged encroachment within 10 days.

Peddireddy challenged the fresh order before High Court. On May 7, 2026, a single judge directed him to approach the Endowments Tribunal within four weeks. A Division Bench on September 9 upheld the direction, extended the period by another four weeks and ordered maintenance of status quo during the period. Peddireddy then approached Supreme Court, which has now declined to interfere. The ownership dispute remains open for determination before Endowments Tribunal.

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Pradeep Vennelakanti

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