Laddu row: SIT Investigation Suspended Amid Supreme Court Hearing

The Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the Tirupati laddu prasadam case has been temporarily suspended until October 3, as announced by Andhra Pradesh Director General of Police (DGP) Dwaraka Tirumala Rao. This decision comes in light of ongoing hearings in the Supreme Court regarding the sensitive nature of the case.

Precautionary Suspension to Maintain Integrity

DGP Rao clarified that the suspension is a precautionary measure to uphold the investigation’s integrity while awaiting the Supreme Court’s directives. He assured that the SIT’s investigation would resume promptly once the court provides its guidance on October 3, aiming for a fair and impartial inquiry.

Supreme Court Questions Public Allegations

The Supreme Court recently questioned Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu for making public allegations about the use of adulterated ghee in the preparation of laddus served as prasadam at the Sri Venkateswara Swamy Temple in Tirumala. A bench of Justices B.R. Gavai and K.V. Viswanathan criticized the Chief Minister, emphasizing that no conclusive proof has yet substantiated the claims of contaminated ghee.

The bench highlighted concerns over the appropriateness of public statements that could affect the sentiments of millions when an investigation had already been ordered by the state. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta was instructed to seek guidance from the Central government regarding the necessity of an independent investigation, with the matter scheduled for further review on October 3 at 3:30 PM.

Allegations and Ongoing Investigations

The apex court is addressing petitions calling for a court-monitored investigation into the allegations surrounding the use of animal fat in the preparation of laddus at the Tirumala temple. During the proceedings, the court inquired whether the alleged contaminated laddus had undergone testing.

Senior advocate Siddhartha Luthra, representing Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD), confirmed complaints regarding the quality of the laddus and possible contamination, citing a lab report from the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) that indicated contamination.

This case has drawn significant attention, with petitions filed by several prominent figures, including Subramanian Swamy, Rajya Sabha MP Y.V. Subba Reddy, and historian Dr. Vikram Sampath, among others, seeking a thorough investigation into the allegations made by the TDP-led Andhra Pradesh government regarding the previous YSRCP regime’s actions.