SIT probe into Tirupati laddus adulteration case temporarily suspended
PTC Web Desk: The Special Investigation Team (SIT) probe into the alleged adulteration of Tirupati laddus has been temporarily suspended, as the case is now under the Supreme Court’s jurisdiction, Andhra Pradesh Director General of Police (DGP) Dwaraka Tirumala Rao was quoted as saying by a news agency on Tuesday.
"The SIT needs to understand the process, gather all the information, and study the details. However, in the meantime, a Supreme Court order has come, and we have halted the investigation accordingly,” said Rao.
On Monday, the SIT inspected a flour mill in Tirumala where ghee, a key ingredient in the laddus, is stored and tested before use. The Supreme Court, on the same day, raised concerns about politicising religious offerings. The court questioned Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu’s public claims that animal fat had been used in the laddus under the previous government led by Jagan Mohan Reddy.
"It is evident from the report that this is not the ghee used. How could you make such claims publicly without concrete evidence?" a Bench comprising Justices B R Gavai and K V Viswanathan remarked. The Bench pointed out that the ghee tested was rejected material and questioned why the matter was taken to the press despite an ongoing investigation.
Senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi, representing Andhra Pradesh, faced scrutiny for the premature public announcement. The court noted that it was "prima facie" unclear and criticised the state's approach.
Commenting on the controversy, Andhra Pradesh’s Deputy CM Pawan Kalyan clarified, “The Supreme Court did not rule that the laddus were unadulterated. They mentioned confusion regarding the dates, which will be clarified. Our government remains committed to investigating any violations that occurred in the past five years, beyond just the prasad issue."
- With inputs from agencies
