The Chief Priest of Bhadrachalam Temple, Podicheti Seetharamanuja Charyulu, and his adopted son, Tirumala Venkata Sitaram, have been suspended following severe allegations of dowry and sexual harassment. Bhadradri Devasthanam Executive Officer L Ramadevi announced the suspension on Wednesday evening.According to the complaint filed with the police in Tadepalligudem, West Godavari District, Andhra Pradesh, Seetharamanuja Charyulu and Venkata Sitaram have been accused of harassment. The victim, who married Sitaram in 2019, alleged that her husband began pressuring her to bring a dowry of Rs 10 lakh shortly after the wedding. The situation escalated when Seetharamanuja Charyulu allegedly began sexually assaulting his daughter-in-law.Despite the victim’s attempts to resolve the matter within the family, both father and son continued their abusive behavior, with Sitaram siding with his father. The victim approached the Tadepalligudem police in August, and a formal case was registered on the 14th of the month.The Commissioner of the Endowments Department has initiated disciplinary action against Seetharamanuja Charyulu and his adopted son, resulting in their suspension. This development highlights the growing concern about exploitation and abuse of power within religious institutions.