Tirupati laddu row: SC forms SIT for fresh probe monitored by CBI director

The Supreme Court has ordered a fresh investigation into the allegations that the laddu prasadam offered at the Tirupati temple were made with adulterated ghee including animal fat, and constituted a new five-member Special Investigation Team (SIT) for the purpose.

The SIT will comprise two officials from the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), as many from the Andhra Pradesh Police, and one from the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI). The CBI director will monitor the SIT probe, the Supreme Court said.

Don’t want political drama: SC

Observing that it will not allow the court to be used as a “political battleground,” a bench of Justices BR Gavai and KV Viswanathan passed the order on a batch of pleas, including those seeking a court-monitored probe into the matter.

“We don’t want this to turn into a political drama,” the Bench observed.

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta told the Bench that if there was any element of truth in the allegations, it was unacceptable. He suggested that the probe by the SIT can be supervised by some senior official of the central government.

Hearing the matter on September 30, the top court asked Mehta to assist it in deciding whether the investigation by the state-appointed SIT should continue or the probe should be conducted by an independent agency. It had asked the top law officer to ponder over the issue and assist it in this regard.

Naidu, YSRCP hail SC decision

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, who had come up with the allegations about the adulteration in the laddus, on Friday hailed the apex court’s decision on forming a SIT. The Telugu Desam Party (TDP) chief had alleged that these irregularities happened under the very nose of the previous YS Jagan Mohan Reddy-led YSRCP government.

Also read: With Tirupati ghee, Naidu is playing with fire

“I welcome the Honourable Supreme Court’s order of setting up SIT, comprising officers from CBI, AP Police and FSSAI to investigate the issue of adulteration of Tirupati laddu."

Senior YSRCP leader and former minister R K Roja said the apex court’s direction is a welcoming development.

“It would be better if everyone refrained from making politically malicious comments on the matter of Srivari Prasadam, which is a sentiment to the devotees,” she said in a social media post.

Lab at Tirumala soon, says TDP leader

Earlier, TDP spokesperson Pattabhiram Kommareddy said the state government’s intention is to bring out the truth and punish culprits who played with the sentiments of crores of devotees of Lord Venkateswara Swamy.

"We welcome the Supreme Court’s direction. We don’t have any issue with it. Crores of Hindus across the globe are demanding to put those people (culprits) behind bars and give them stringent punishment because they have played with their sentiments," the TDP spokesperson told PTI.

Pattabhiram hoped that the investigation by the SIT would be a time-bound one.

Also read: Tirupati laddu row: TDP ready for central agency probe, YSRCP slams 'heinous' publicity

He said now the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD), the official custodian of Sri Venkateswara temple in Tirupati, is procuring pure cow ghee and the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) is going to set up a lab at Tirumala to check adulteration if any in the ingredients.

An allegation that triggered a political row

A massive political row broke out after Naidu at an NDA meeting last month claimed that that animal fat was used in preparing Tirupati laddus during the previous YS Jagan Mohan Reddy-led government in the state.

His claims were soon corroborated by Gujarat-based laboratory NDDB CALF (Centre for Analysis and Learning in Livestock & Food) which said beef tallow, lard, fish oil and palm oil were among the components found in the ghee used in making the laddus at Tirupati. The sample receipt date was July 9 while the report was dated July 16.

The YSRCP has rubbished the allegations while accusing Naidu of indulging in "heinous allegations" for political gains.

(With inputs from agencies)