Tirupati Laddu Row Supreme Court Hearing Live: SC orders independent SIT as 'sentiments of crores of devotees involved'

The Supreme Court on Friday ordered the formation of an independent Special Investigative Team (SIT) to probe into allegations of animal fat in Tirupati temple laddus. The apex court said that the sentiments of crores of devotees is involved and hence an independent team should replace the SIT formed by Andhra Pradesh government.

TDP welcomes SC's decision on constituting independent SIT to probe into allegations of use of animal fat in making Tirupati laddus

SC said it set up independent SIT as sentiments of crores of devotees across the world are involved with Tirupati prasadam. Earlier solicitor general Tushar Mehta told SC that there was nothing wrong with the state-SIT and that it could be supervised by an officer from Centre.

Justices B R Gavai & K V Viswanathan said SC hasn't gone into merits of allegations and counters on alleged adulteration of the laddus. "We won't allow SC to be used for political drama," SC said and disposed of all petitions saying it's SIT will replace the one set up by AP.

Supreme Court sets up independent SIT comprising two CBI officers and two AP police officers and a sr Food Safety and Standrad Authority of India (FSSAI) officer to probe controversy relating to alleged adulteration of famous Titrupati laddu prasadam. CBI director to supervise SIT probe.

Senior advocate Siddharth Luthra, appearing for the Tirupati Temple, informed the court that the service tax department has provided information indicating that the goods in question were not even supplied by the original supplier, and the details are now available.

Senior advocate Kapil Sibal argued that had the chief minister not made the statement, it would have been a different matter. He emphasizes the need for an impartial and independent investigation to be ordered. Senior advocate Rohatgi replied that the statement, which was made in September on the completion of 100 days of the government, was not related to the report in this case, which came out in July. He contended that the CM was speaking about the completion of 100 days of the government and that the media had taken only four lines out of context.

The solicitor general of India, Tushar Mehta, representing the Central Government, has suggested to the Supreme Court that if there is any truth to the allegations, it is unacceptable. He proposes that the Special Investigation Team (SIT) be supervised by a senior central official to inspire confidence in the investigation.
The SG also pointed out that devotees are spread across the country and food safety is a concern. He states that he did not find anything against the members of the SIT.

Supreme Court begins hearing a batch of petitions seeking a court-monitored investigation into the allegations of use of animal fat to make laddus to serve as prasadam at the Sri Venkateswara Swamy Temple in Tirumala, Andhra Pradesh, where Lord Venkateswara is worshipped.

The Supreme Court, consisting of Justices BR Gavai and KV Viswanathan, strongly criticised the chief minister of Andhra Pradesh, Chandrababu Naidu, for his actions regarding the disclosure of information about adulterated ghee. The bench took issue with the premature nature of the chief minister's public statements on the matter.

The Supreme Court will hear on Friday a batch of pleas, including those seeking a court-monitored probe into the alleged use of animal fat in making Tirupati laddus. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta requested the apex court, which was scheduled to hear the matter at 3.30 pm on Thursday, that the case be taken up at 10.30 am on Friday.

"If your lordships permit, can I respond at 10.30 am sharp tomorrow," Mehta told the bench headed by Justice B R Gavai.

The bench agreed to the request and said that it would hear the matter on Friday.

Hearing the matter on September 30, the top court had 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.

On September 30, the bench had observed that Gods should be kept away from politics.

It had questioned Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu's public statement that animal fat was allegedly used in making Tirupati laddus under the previous Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy-led regime.

The apex court had said the laboratory test report was "not clear at all" and it prima facie indicated that 'rejected ghee' was subjected to test.

It had noted that according to the state, an FIR was registered on September 25 and a special investigation team (SIT) was constituted on September 26 to probe the matter.

Supreme Court adjourns for October 4 the hearing of a batch of petitions seeking a court-monitored investigation into the allegations of use of animal fat to make laddus to serve as prasadam at the Sri Venkateswara Swamy Temple in Tirumala, Andhra Pradesh, where Lord Venkateswara is worshipped.

Another plea seeks the appointment of a committee under direct monitoring of the Supreme Court or appointment of a retired SC judge with other experts to conduct an independent inquiry into the allegations of substandard ingredients and animal fat in the ghee in Tirupati Tirumala Temple. Meanwhile, the Andhra Pradesh government has constituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the adulteration of ghee used for making Tirupati laddu.

The Supreme Court on Monday rebuked Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu for making public allegations about the use of contaminated ghee in Tirupati laddus without concrete evidence. The court said that politics should not interfere with matters of faith and noted that no proof was found to support the claim. The bench questioned the state government and Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) on how they concluded that adulterated ghee was used, given that the prasadam had not been tested.

The Supreme Court on Monday questioned Andhra Pradesh chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu's claim that animal fat was used in making Tirupati laddus, stating that at least the Gods should be kept out of politics.

The court sought proof of the claim and noted that the chief minister made the statement on September 18, despite the FIR being lodged on September 25 and a special investigation team (SIT) being constituted on September 26.During the hearing of a batch of pleas, including those seeking a court-monitored probe into the alleged use of animal fat in making Tirupati laddus, the apex court expressed concerns about the report cited by the Andhra government to support their claim.

Andhra Pradesh Director General of Police Dwaraka Tirumala Rao announced on Tuesday that the investigation into the alleged adulteration of ghee in the preparation of Tirupati laddus has been temporarily halted. The Supreme Court directed the Special Investigation Team (SIT) to suspend its probe until the next hearing on October 3. The SIT, led by Guntur IG Sarvashresth Tripathi, had launched the investigation a week ago, conducting inspections at the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams' godown and testing facilities. The probe's progress now depends on the outcome of the Supreme Court proceedings

Observing that at least the Gods should be kept out of politics, the Supreme Court on Monday questioned Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu's claim that animal fat was used in making Tirupati laddus and sought proof of it. A bench of Justices B R Gavai and K V Viswanathan noted that the chief minister made the claim on September 18, even though the FIR in the matter was lodged on September 25 and a special investigation team (SIT) was constituted on September 26. " ...it was not appropriate on the part of a higher constitutional functionary to go in public and make a statement which can affect the sentiments of crores of people," the bench said.