Wall collapse: government suspends Executive Officer of Simhachalam temple

Government suspends Executive Officer of Simhachalam temple. Action follows inquiry commission’s preliminary report, holding the officer responsible for the incident during Chandanotsavam that claimed the lives of seven devotees on April 30, 2025.

The Government of Andhra Pradesh on Thursday placed K. Subba Rao, Deputy Collector, working as Executive Officer of the Sri Varaha Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Devasthanam at Simhachalam in Visakhapatnam, under suspension on the basis of the inquiry commission’s preliminary report, holding him accountable for the wall collapse during Chandanotsavam in the early hours of April 30.

A G.O. (RT No. 406) to that effect was issued by G. Jayalakshmi, Special Chief Secretary (Revenue - Vigilance).

It was stated that the inquiry commission informed the government that as Executive Officer, Mr. Subba Rao was responsible for all arrangements in the temple and that the temporary wall had been constructed as per his directions.

Mr. Subba Rao failed to ensure that the work was supervised by the engineers properly and as per the designs, and if all safety measures were taken or not. He was, therefore, liable for disciplinary action for gross negligence and dereliction of duty, the G.O. said.

Accordingly, the government ordered Mr. Subba Rao’s suspension in exercise of the powers conferred by Rule 8 of the A.P. Civil Services (Classification, Control & Appeal) Rules of 1991.

Seven persons had been killed as the wall caved in on the unsuspecting devotees when they were waiting to have darshan on the auspicious occasion of Chandanotsavam due to incessant rains that lashed overnight in the area.