Delhi HC Declines to Grant Immediate Injunction to YSRCP Leader in Defamation Suit Over Tirupati Laddu Reports

The Delhi High Court has declined to grant an ex parte interim injunction sought by Yuvajana Sramika Rythu Congress Party (YSRCP) leader Yerram Venkata Subba Reddy against several media houses in connection with reportage on the Tirupati laddu adulteration controversy.

Justice Amit Bansal, while hearing a defamation suit filed by Subba Reddy and another plaintiff, held that the case did not warrant the grant of an ex parte ad interim injunction and that the defendants must be given an opportunity to place their defence on record before any restraint order could be considered.

“Therefore, at this stage, the Court is not inclined to grant an ex parte ad interim injunction against the defendants qua the impugned publications/posts/articles,” the Court observed.

The plaintiffs have alleged that various media publications made defamatory statements accusing them of wrongdoing in the procurement of ghee used for preparing prasadam at the Lord Sri Venkateswara Swamy Temple at Tirumala, one of the holiest shrines for Hindus.

Subba Reddy served as Chairman of the Board of the Committee of Management of Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams from June 2019 to August 2023.

The Tirupati laddu controversy centres around allegations that adulterated ghee containing non-vegetarian substances such as bird meat (kolis), animal fat, 'Lard' (pig fat), fish oil and other impurities was used in the preparation of prasadam during the tenure of the previous Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam (TTD) Trust management. The use of adulterated ghee in the laddu has been said to be violative of not only fundamental religious customs associated with the temple but also constituting a severe affront to Hindu religious practise and sentiments of the “Santana Dharma” and the devotees, which strictly prohibit the presence of non-vegetarian items in any aspect of temple rituals, especially offering to the deity.

During the hearing, Senior Advocate Dayan Krishnan, appearing for the plaintiffs, referred to orders passed by the Supreme Court on September 30 and October 4, 2024, in a writ petition relating to the Tirupati laddu adulteration issue. He argued that since the matter is currently under investigation, media houses ought to refrain from publishing defamatory material.

The Court, however, reiterated that ex parte ad interim injunctions can be granted only in exceptional circumstances.“In my prima facie view, it would only be reasonable to give an opportunity to the defendants to present their defence in respect of their publications/posts/articles,” Justice Bansal said.

At the same time, the Court cautioned that any fresh publications made after the date of the order would be deemed to have been issued with notice of the Court’s proceedings and would “have its own consequences”.

The matter has been listed for further hearing on January 29, 2026.

Case Title: Yerram Venkata Subba Reddy & Anr. v. Ushodaya Enterprises Private Limited & Ors.

Bench: Justice Amit Bansal

Order Date: 23 December 2025