TIRUPATI (Andhra Pradesh): Andhra Pradesh Director General of Police (DGP), Dwaraka Tirumala Rao, on Tuesday, announced that the SIT investigation investigating the Tirupati Laddu prasadam case will be suspended until October 3, due to the ongoing hearing in the Supreme Court.
The SIT was formed to investigate a sensitive case and the suspension is a precautionary measure to ensure the investigation’s integrity. Rao clarified that the investigation will resume after the Supreme Court issues its directives on October 3.
The decision to form the SIT was made considering the severity of the case and the temporary suspension is necessary to avoid any potential legal complications. The SIT’s investigation will proceed according to the Supreme Court’s guidance, ensuring a fair and impartial inquiry.
The Supreme Court on Monday questioned Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu for making public allegations about the use of adulterated ghee for the preparation of laddus, which were served as prasadam at the Sri Venkateswara Swamy Temple in Tirumala.
A bench of Justices B R Gavai and K V Viswanathan criticised the Chief Minister, saying there is no conclusive proof yet to substantiate that contaminated ghee was used in preparation of prasadam laddus. It questioned the need to make a public statement on the issue when a probe had already been ordered by the state into the allegations.
The bench also asked Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Centre, to seek instructions from the Central government on whether an independent investigation is required and posted the matter to October 3 at 3.30 pm.
“We are prima facie of the view that when the investigation was under process, it was not appropriate for the high constitutional authority to make a statement that can affect the sentiments of crores of people. In that view of the matter, we find that it would be appropriate if the Solicitor General assists us on whether the SIT by the state should continue or the investigation should be by an independent agency”, said the bench in it’s order.
The apex court was hearing a batch of petitions seeking 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.
During the hearing, the top court asked the Andhra Pradesh government whether the alleged adulterated laddus had been sent for testing. Senior advocate Siddhartha Luthra, appearing for Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD), said that there were complaints regarding the quality of laddus and possible contamination. He also said that the lab report of the NDDB showed contamination and the nature of contamination was under enquiry.
The top court was hearing petitions filed by Subramanium Swamy, Rajya Sabha MP and ex-TTD Chairman Y V Subba Reddy, Surjit Singh Yadav, President of non government organisation Hindu Sena Samiti, historian Dr. Vikram Sampath, chairman managing director (CMD) and the editor-in-chief of Sudarshan, Suresh Chavhnake, and others.
Petitions sought court-monitored investigation into the allegations levelled by TDP-led Andhra Pradesh government regarding use of adulterated ghee in preparation of laddus at the Tirumala Tirupati Temple during the previous YSRCP regime. (ANI)