The Supreme Court dismissed a petition seeking a CBI investigation into alleged adulteration in the famous Tirupati Laddu. The plea, filed by social activist K.A. Paul, who leads the Global Peace Initiative, aimed to address concerns over the quality of the prasadam. Paul argued for a probe to ensure the sacred offering remains pure for devotees.
New Delhi: The Supreme Court dismissed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) requesting a CBI investigation into claims of animal fat being used in the preparation of Tirupati laddus during the previous administration led by Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy.
The petition, filed by social activist K.A. Paul, President of the Global Peace Initiative, was reviewed by a bench comprising Justices B.R. Gavai and K.V. Vishwanathan.
In dismissing the plea, the bench remarked,
“Going by your prayer, we will have to build separate states for all temples, gurudwaras, etc. We can’t direct that a separate state be created for a particular matter. Dismissed.”
In his plea, K.A. Paul called for a thorough CBI investigation into alleged corruption and mismanagement related to the procurement and preparation of Laddu Prasadam. Addressing claims of animal fat in Tirupati laddus, the Supreme Court had previously moved on October 4 to establish a five-member Special Investigation Team (SIT) for an independent probe.
Emphasizing judicial impartiality, the Court stated,
“The court cannot become a political battleground.”
The SIT includes two officials from the CBI, two from the Andhra Pradesh Police, and a senior official from the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI). Paul further stressed that the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD), one of the world’s largest Hindu pilgrimage sites, must remain pure to uphold the faith of millions of devotees and protect its reputation.
The controversy erupted when Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu alleged that the previous administration, headed by Jagan Mohan Reddy, incorporated animal fat in the preparation of laddus. This assertion sparked significant political turmoil, with the YSR Congress Party accusing Naidu of resorting to “despicable allegations” for political advantage.
In response, the ruling Telugu Desam Party shared a laboratory report to support their claims.