Tirupati laddu row | 'At least Gods should be kept away from politics': SC comes down heavily on Andhra CM

A bench of Justices B R Gavai and K V Viswanathan noted that the chief minister made the claim on September 18, even though the FIR in the matter was lodged on September 25 and a special investigation team (SIT) was constituted on September 26.

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Monday came down heavily on 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, even prior to registration of FIR and ordering an SIT probe into the matter.

The top court said it expected Gods would be kept away from politics.

"Where was the justification for him to go to the press on September 18?There was no concrete proof that the contaminated ghee was used actually in preparation of laddus. There were five suppliers, the supply from only one supplier was found to have been contaminated," a bench of Justices B R Gavai and K V Vishwanathan said.

The court also asked if ghee from all the suppliers were mixed before the use.

"We are prima facie of the view when the investigation was pending it was not appropriate for the person holding the highest constitutional office to make a statement," the bench said.

The court was hearing petitions filed by BJP leader Subramanian Swamy, historian Dr Vikram Sampath and another person and Sudarshan TV channel Editor Suresh Chavhanke.

The court asked Solicitor General Tushar Mehta to take instruction if the present SIT ordered by the state government should be allowed to continue or some other SIT should be formed.

Senior advocates Mukul Rohatgi and Sidharth Luthra, appearing for the Andhra Pradesh government and Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams Board respectively tried to defend the statement of the Chief Minister, contending that since the supply was apparently found not to be conforming to standards, it was sent to National Dairy Development Board lab in Anand for testing, which resulted into the report showing contamination.

"Does the prudence not dictate you to take a second opinion in the matter?" the bench asked the counsel.

Swamy's counsel contended that he was concerned with the basis on which a categorical statement was made by the Chief Minister as "it diluted the respect to Deity and affected sentiments of devotees across the world".

Luthra and Rohatgi accused Swamy of espousing the cause of former TTD's chairman Y V Subba Reddy.

Reddy has separately filed a plea seeking an interim relief in the form of a detailed forensic report on the source and quality of the ghee and a temporary gag order on publicising the issue to protect devotees' sentiments.

Mehta, on his part, said this is a matter of faith and if the contaminated ghee was indeed used, it was unacceptable, and it should be examined and found who was responsible.

The court fixed the matter for considering a response from the Solicitor General on October 3.

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Naidu claimed that animal fat was used in preparing Tirupati laddus during the previous YS Jaganmohan Reddy-led government, triggering a massive row.

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