Tirupati Laddu Case: Supreme Court Refuses To Move Trial Out Of Andhra Pradesh
The Supreme Court on Thursday declined to transfer the investigation into the Tirupati laddu adulteration case outside Andhra Pradesh.
The case relates to allegations of adulteration in the ghee used to prepare the laddu prasadam at the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD), which had triggered a major political and religious controversy.
CJI Surya Kant led bench rejected the petition filed by managing director of a private dairy company, who had sought to move the probe out of the state.
Senior Advocate Siddharth Dave argued that a hostile atmosphere prevailed in Andhra Pradesh as continuing political statements are being made on the issue by the Chief Minister and the Deputy Chief Minister.
CJI said the Court’s earlier order had put an end to such public comments, he remarked, “We have silenced them all with our order.”
In October 2024, the Supreme Court had ordered the SIT appointed by the State Government to look into the Tirupati prasadam issue to be substituted. The division bench of Justices BR Gavai and KV Vishwanathan ordered that the new SIT will be consisting of officers of CBI nominated by the Director, CBI, 2 officers of Andhra Pradesh state police nominated by the State, and a senior officer of FSSAI as nominated by the chairman of the body.
Earlier, the top court had expressed its displeasure over the statements made by Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu before the press even before the SIT, appointed by the state to look into the Tirupata prasadam issue, came out with a report.
Court had also asked Solicitor General Tushar Mehta to assist the court on the aspect if the investigation into the Tirupati laddu controversy by the state-appointed SIT should continue or should it be done by an independent authority.
A bunch of petitions were filed before the Supreme Court addressing the controversy that erupted after the ghee used in Tirupati prasadam was found to be adulterated. Suresh Chavhanke, Editor-in-chief and Managing Director of Sudarshan News, had also approached the top court against this adulteration of the prasadam seeking an investigation into the alleged offence of criminal conspiracy and mismanagement of Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam Trust and violation of freedom of conscience and free profession, practise and propagation under Article 25.
As the holy Tirumala Tirupati Temple, dedicated to Lord Venkateswara, holds immense spiritual significance for Hindus globally, Chavhanke had also sought the appointment of retired judges for management of temples and shrines.
After a study was conducted on the Ghee used in the laddu, disturbing facts & truth have been revealed that non-vegetarian products, specifically bird meat (kolis), animal fat, 'Lard' (pig fat), fish oil and other impurities were 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.