Supreme Court Orders Fresh Investigation in Tirupati Laddu Row, Forms 5-Member SIT

Tirupati controversy: On Friday, the Supreme Court ordered an investigation on the Tirupati Laddu row. The fresh investigation will include of a 5-member SIT (Special Investigation Team).

These five-member SIT consist of officers from the Central Bureau of Investigation, Andhra Pradesh Police, and the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI).

The Tirupati laddu is a famous dish made by the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam which looks after the the Tirumala Venkateswara temple.

As per the official report, the investigation team will include two members of the CBI, two members from the Andhra Pradesh Police, and one from the FSSAI.

The Supreme Court also reported that the SIT will be monitored by the CBI director.

A bench of Justices BR Gavai and KV Viswanathan issued an order saying that the court would not be allowed to used it as a “political battleground”. The decision was made after several petitions including others who wanted the court to monitor the issue.

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The bench said, “We don't want this to turn into a political drama.”

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta told the bench that even if the allegation is true, still it is unacceptable. He added that the SIT investigation should be monitored by the high-level government official.

Speaking on the matter on September 30, the bench requested Mehta to share his opinion in deciding whether the investigation should be executed by the state-appointed SIT or by a separate agency.

The bench has also asked for the assistance of the top law officer over the issue.

The supreme court also questioned the Andhra Pradesh chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu's statement that that animal fat was used to make Tirupati laddus when YS Jagan Mohan Reddy was in charge.

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The bench also reported that the laboratory test was “not clear at all” and it showed that the test subject was “rejected ghee”.

On September 25, an FIR was filed and a 5-member SIT formed on September 26 to look into the matter.

The bench said, "It could thus be seen that a statement was made by the Chief Minister on September 18, which was even before the FIR being lodged on September 25 and the SIT being constituted on September 26.”

It further added, "We are, prima facie, of the view that it was not appropriate on the part of a high constitutional functionary to go in public to make a statement which can affect the sentiment of crores of people and when investigation to find out adulterated ghee was used to make laddus was underway.”

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