Telangana man booked for duping artists at Tirumala
Tirupati: A cultural programme scheduled at Tirumala's Asthana mandapam on Friday descended into confusion and protests, as over 2,000 artists — many of whom had paid to participate — arrived expecting to perform, only to find entry restricted to just a few of them.
The programme, titled Sri Srinivasa Kalaarchana, was initially cleared by the Hindu Dharma Prachara Parishad (HDPP), with approval for performances on June 21. However, the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) later revoked the permission after receiving complaints that the organiser had collected money from performers in exchange for slots.
The organiser, Abhishek from Kajipet in Telangana, reportedly runs two cultural organisations — Annamacharya Arts Academy and Annamayya Sahithi Kala Vikasa Parishad.
He is alleged to gave collected amounts between ₹2,000 and ₹5,000 from the participants under the pretext of securing legitimate performance opportunities in Tirumala.
Following the cancellation of the original event, Abhishek approached the high court. The court, while taking note of the irregularities, directed TTD to allow performances by 1,200 artists, 600 each on June 27 and 28, and ordered a vigilance inquiry to be completed within four weeks.
Despite the clear order, the turnout on Friday far exceeded expectations. With only 600 artists permitted for the day, hundreds of artists were left outside the venue, sparking protests and allegations of mismanagement and betrayal. Protesters demanded that all artists who had paid be allowed to perform as promised.
TTD vigilance and local police rushed to manage the situation and held discussions with the agitating crowd. Following instructions from senior officials, the remaining artists were eventually allowed to perform, temporarily easing the tensions. The organiser's manager has since been taken into custody for questioning, and TTD vigilance officials have initiated a formal investigation into the incident, based on complaints lodged by the affected artists.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
India Today
6 hours ago
- India Today
Amitabh Bachchan praises son Abhishek as he completes 25 years in film industry
Amitabh Bachchan shared a proud father moment on social media as he celebrated his son Abhishek Bachchan's 25-year journey in the film industry. Reposting a fan-made tribute video of Abhishek on X, the veteran actor praised his son with an emotional message that's winning hearts online."Iss variety variety ko mai pranam karta hun, aur apne putra ki sarhana karta hun! Ji han, pita hu mai uska, aur mere liye mera putra Abhishek sarhana karne yogya hai (I bow to this Variety, and I appreciate my son! Yes, I am his father, and to me, my son Abhishek is truly worthy of praise)," Amitabh Bachchan wrote, saluting the tribute and expressing his admiration for his son's accomplishments. advertisementThe video, shared by a fan page, highlights some of Abhishek Bachchan's most iconic roles across genres - especially focusing on his impeccable comic timing and screen presence. The caption read, 'Celebrating 25 Years of @juniorbachchan - the man who mastered wit, timing, and that unbeatable comic swag. Here's to the laughs that never missed!' Watch the video here: Abhishek Bachchan made his Bollywood debut in 2000 with JP Dutta's 'Refugee', starring opposite Kareena Kapoor. Over the years, he carved his own identity with standout performances in films like 'Yuva','Guru', 'Bunty Aur Babli', 'Dostana', and the 'Dhoom' recent years, he has also ventured into digital platforms with acclaimed roles in series like 'Breathe: Into the Shadows' and films like 'Dasvi' and 'Bob Biswas'.Abhishek Bachchan was last seen in 'Housefull 5', a comedy ensemble helmed by director Tarun Mansukhani. The film features a star-studded cast including Akshay Kumar, Riteish Deshmukh, Fardeen Khan, Nana Patekar, Jackie Shroff, Ranjeet, Johny Lever, Jacqueline Fernandez, Nargis Fakhri, Chunky Panday, Dino Morea, Sonam Bajwa, and Soundarya Sharma.- EndsMust Watch
Hans India
18 hours ago
- Hans India
Cultural event at Tirumala sparks uproar over alleged fraud
Tirupati: A cultural programme scheduled at Tirumala's Asthana Mandapam on Friday descended into confusion and protest, as more than 2,000 artistes, many of whom had paid to participate, arrived expecting to perform, only to find entry restricted to a fraction of them. The programme, titled Sri Srinivasa Kalaarchana, was initially cleared by the Hindu Dharma Prachara Parishad (HDPP), with approval for performances on June 21. However, the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) later revoked the permission after receiving complaints that the organiser had collected money from the performers in exchange for slots. The organiser, Abhishek from Khajipet in Telangana, is said to be running two cultural organisations - Annamacharya Arts Academy and Annamayya Sahithi Kala Vikasa Parishad. Victims allege that he collected amounts between Rs 2,000 and Rs 5,000 from participants under the pretext of securing legitimate performance opportunities in Tirumala. Following the cancellation of the original event, Abhishek approached the High Court. The court, while taking note of the irregularities, directed the TTD to allow performances by 1,200 artistes, 600 each on June 27 and 28, and ordered a vigilance inquiry to be completed within four weeks. Despite the clear order, the turnout on Friday far exceeded expectations. With only 600 artistes permitted for the day, hundreds of artistes were left outside the venue, sparking protests and allegations of mismanagement and betrayal. Protesters demanded that all artistes who had paid be allowed to perform as promised. TTD vigilance and local police rushed to manage the situation and held discussions with the agitating crowd. Following instructions from senior officials, the remaining artistes were eventually allowed to perform, temporarily easing the tensions. The organiser's manager has since been taken into custody for questioning, and TTD vigilance officials have initiated a formal investigation into the incident, based on complaints lodged by affected artistes.
Time of India
20 hours ago
- Time of India
AP high court grants interim protection to Jagan, others in culpable homicide case
Vijayawada: Andhra Pradesh high court on Friday granted interim protection to former chief minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy and others, directing the police not to take coercive steps, including arrest, in relation to the case registered over the death of one Ch Singaiah. The court also asked the advocate general to explain how can the passengers in a vehicle be held responsible for an untoward incident that resulted in the death of a person. Guntur police registered a case against Jagan, his PA K Naheswara Reddy, former ministers Vidadala Rajini and Perni Venkatramaiah, and former TTD chairman Y V Subba Reddy, charging them with culpable homicide not amounting to murder under section 105 of BNS, after videos surfaced suggesting Singaiah was mowed down by the vehicle in which they were travelling. Jagan and others moved the high court seeking to quash the case registered against them. Arguing on behalf of the petitioners, senior counsels Ponnavolu Sudhakar Reddy and S Sriram submitted that the police initially declared that another vehicle was responsible for the incident in question and registered a case under section 106 of BNS for rash and negligent driving. However, the case was later altered to section 105, and the former chief minister and others, who were passengers in the vehicle, were included as accused. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like This 2025 RAV4 Might Be Toyota's Best Yet TheFactualist Undo They submitted that the case is politically motivated, and the sections included in the FIR against the petitioners do not stand judicial scrutiny. Considering the submissions of the petitioners, Justice K Srinivas Reddy asked advocate general Dammalapati Srinivas to explain how can the passengers in a vehicle involved in an accident could be made accused. Responding to the query, Srinivas said the incident in question cannot be seen as any other incident of rash and negligent driving. The advocate general said there was sufficient material to suggest that the petitioners, despite having knowledge of the incident, did not inform the police or take remedial measures to rescue the victim. Instead, they tried to cover up by giving the impression that some other vehicle was involved in the incident. He further stated that the authorities had given limited permission for three vehicles and 100 persons to visit Rentapalla, but hundreds of vehicles and thousands of people gathered and conducted a rally in utter disregard of the law enforcement agencies. Even after the incident took place, the petitioners did not bother to call for an ambulance or inform the police but continued with the rally, he said. Srinivas said all these things are to be seen together, not in isolation. If it had been a politically motivated case, as alleged by the petitioners, the police would have registered cases into three other deaths that occurred on the same day due to the rally. The reason for the registration of the case in question was based on available material, he said, adding that the investigation is still at a nascent stage and sought time till Tuesday so that he can submit all details pertaining to the case. Considering the submissions on both sides, Justice Reddy posted the matter for further hearing to July 1 and directed the police not to take coercive steps till then.
