Tirupati laddu row: Supreme Court forms independent SIT, including two officers from CBI, to probe matter

A bench of Justices B R Gavai and K V Vishwanathan directed an SIT comprising two officers from the CBI nominated by the director, and two from the Andhra Pradesh police along with a senior officer of the central government body FSSAI, to examine the matter.

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Friday directed formation of an independent special investigation team (SIT) to look into alleged contamination of animal fat in ghee used for preparing Laddus at Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams, "in order to to assuage feelings of crores of devotees across the world".

A bench of Justices B R Gavai and K V Vishwanathan directed an SIT comprising two officers from the CBI, nominated by the director and two from the Andhra Pradesh police along with a senior officer of central government body FSSAI, would be formed to examine the matter.

It said the investigation would be carried out under the supervision of CBI director.

The Andhra Pradesh state authorities claimed the ghee purchased for preparation of prasadam was found to have contained "fish oil, beef tallow and lard", triggering massive outrage among the devotees.

Taking up a batch of petitions filed by BJP leader Subramanian Swamy and others, the bench said, "We have not gone into the allegations and counter allegations made in either of the petitions or the stand of the respondents. We clarify that we would not permit the court to be used as a political battleground."

"However, in order to assuage the feelings of crores of people or devotees, we find that the investigation should be conducted by an independent SIT," the bench said.

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta appearing for the central government, said the present SIT formed by the Andhra Pradesh government could be allowed to continue the investigation into the matter.

"I have examined the matter, if there is truth in the allegations, it is totally unacceptable. The matter is also related to food safety. The present SIT is competent and qualified, but let it be supervised by a central police force," he said.

Senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi for the Andhra Pradesh government and senior advocate Sidharth Luthra for the TTD chairman said the present SIT formed after registration of the FIR can be allowed to probe the matter. But they did not object to the formation of fresh SIT.

Senior advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for former TTD chairman Y V Subba Reddy also agreed to the court's decision to form an independent SIT.

With its direction, the court disposed of the petitions.

The apex court had on September 30 slammed Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu for making a statement on September 18 about the use of contaminated ghee in preparation of Tirupati Laddus in absence of concrete proof, and even prior to registration of FIR, and initiation of an SIT probe.

Naidu claimed that animal fat was used in preparing Tirupati laddus during the previous Y S Jaganmohan Reddy-led government, stirring up massive row.

According to TTD authorities, the data available with Assistant Commissioner Service Tax showed the ghee was supplied by A R Dairy Food Private Limited in June-July to Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams at the rate of Rs 319.8 per kg.

This supplier purchased the ghee from Sri Vyshnavi Dairy Specialities Limited at the rate of Rs 315, 316.60 and 334.39 per kg.

Sri Vyshnavi Dairy, on its part, procured it from Bhole Baba Oroganic Dairy Milk Private Limited, Bhagwanpur, Uttarakhand at the rate of Rs 313.60, 290, 412, 403 per kg. They claimed as per tender stipulations the successful bidder had to have its own production facilities, but the suppliers were found to have sold the ghee for less than the purchase price.

The YSR Congress Party, however, has accused Naidu of indulging in "heinous allegations" for political gain.