Today, On 4th October, Supreme Court orders an independent Special Investigation Team (SIT) probe into the Tirupati Laddu case. The SIT will include 2 CBI officers, 2 Andhra Pradesh police officers, and 1 FSSAI officer, with oversight from the CBI Director. Justice Gavai stated the decision was made considering the faith of millions.
New Delhi: The Supreme Court ordered an independent investigation by a Special Investigation Team (SIT) into the allegations of animal fat being used in the laddoos served as prasad at the Tirupati temple.
A bench comprising Justices BR Gavai and KV Viswanathan emphasized that the court does not wish for this issue to turn into a political spectacle, as it concerns the faith of millions of devotees worldwide.
The case originated from a claim made by Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu, who alleged that animal fat was used in the preparation of the laddoos during the previous administration led by Jagan Mohan Reddy.
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta highlighted that politics was overshadowing the faith of millions of people in this matter.
The Court said,
“In order to assuage feelings of crores of people, we find that investigation by independent SIT consisting of representatives of state police, CBI and FSSAI, shall be done,”
The Supreme Court directed that the existing State Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the allegations be replaced by a new SIT. This newly constituted team will include officers from the CBI, nominated by the agency’s director, two officers from the Andhra Pradesh State Police, chosen by the State, and a senior officer from the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), appointed by the body’s chairman. The Court also ordered that the investigation will be led by the director of the CBI.
Clarifying its decision, the Court stated,
“We clarify that our order should not be construed as a reflection on the independence and fairness of the members of the state SIT. We have constituted the committee only to assuage the feelings of crores of people having faith in the deity.”
When the case was heard today, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta proposed that a senior officer from a Central government agency could supervise the SIT investigation to ensure confidence in the process.
He stated,
“I have examined the issue, and if there is any truth to the allegations, then it is unacceptable, as devotees are spread across the country, and the Food Safety Act is also applicable. I have not filed anything against the current SIT, but let it be supervised by a senior officer from the Central government force. That will inspire confidence.”
Senior Advocate Mukul Rohatgi, representing the Andhra Pradesh government, argued that the State should be allowed to continue the investigation.
He said,
“I appear for the State, we wish to go ahead with the SIT. Any officer of the court’s choice can be added. There can be no allegation against the SIT. We cannot go by some newspaper report.”
However, Senior Advocate Kapil Sibal countered, suggesting that Chief Minister Naidu’s statements had compromised the neutrality of the investigation, necessitating an independent inquiry.
Sibal urged,
“Another statement was made yesterday. Had the CM not made the statement, it would be a different matter. An impartial independent investigation needs to be ordered,”
The Court acknowledged the seriousness of the allegations.
Rohatgi claimed there was “absolute proof” that lard (pig fat) had been used in the preparation of the laddus, but Sibal demanded to see the report substantiating the claim, to which Rohatgi responded, “Report shows that.”
Sibal contended,
“It is vegetable fat and not animal fat at all. The court needs to order an independent probe.”
Senior Advocate Sidharth Luthra, representing Tirupati Tirumala Devasthanam (TTD), stated that consignments reaching the temple by July 4 had not been tested, but those arriving on July 6 and 12 were found to be tainted.
“What came till July 4 was not tested. But what reached on July 6 and 12 were tainted,” he said. In response, Sibal questioned, “Why did you allow them to go to the hill? You were in charge.”
Luthra pointed out,
“But the tender was given by you (the previous government led by YS Jagan Mohan Reddy).”
At this point, the Solicitor General commented,
“Politics is taking over the faith of crores of people.”
The Court then suggested,
“Let there be an independent probe by two from CBI, two from the State government, and one from FSSAI. We can also order it to be under the supervision of CBI.”
Rohatgi added,
“We have no axe to grind,”
While the Court concluded by stating,
“We do not want this to turn into a political drama. This is about the sentiments of crores of people all over the world. Fortunately or unfortunately, both are warring groups.”
The Court then reconstituted the SIT.
The Supreme Court on Thursday postponed the hearing regarding which agency should investigate the claims of adulterated ghee being used in the preparation of prasadam laddus at Andhra Pradesh’s Tirupati temple. The matter deferred to today, after Solicitor General Tushar Mehta requested more time to submit a reply.
The court allowed Mehta, who is representing the Centre, until 10:30 am on Friday to file his response.
In the previous hearing, a bench headed by Justice BR Gavai asked for the Solicitor General’s opinion on whether the Special Investigation Team (SIT) established by the Andhra Pradesh government should continue the investigation or if it should be handed over to a central agency.
A lawyer filed a petition claiming that this practice violates fundamental Hindu religious customs and deeply offends the sentiments of millions of devotees who regard the laddoos as sacred ‘prasad.’
The petitioner argued that the alleged inclusion of animal fat reflects broader issues within temple administration and stressed the need to protect the sanctity of Hindu religious practices. The row triggered after Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu alleged that under the previous YSR Congress government, animal fat had been used in the preparation of the laddoos offered at the Sri Venkateswara Temple in Tirupati.
The Andhra Pradesh government backed these claims by referencing a Gujarat laboratory report, which revealed traces of beef tallow, fish oil, and lard (pig fat) in the ghee used for the laddoos.
In a letter petition to Chief Justice of India D.Y. Chandrachud, lawyer Satyam Singh contended that these allegations violate Article 25 of the Constitution, which guarantees freedom of religion, including the right to practice religious customs.