Tirupati laddu row: If probe was ordered, what was the necessity to go to press, SC asks Naidu

On Monday, the Supreme Court posed a question to Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu asking what was the reason to go to the press if a probe was already ordered regarding the Tirupati laddus row.

"If probe was ordered, what was the necessity to go to press," asked SC.

Moreover the court also observed that there was no conclusive proof of animal fat being used to to prepare laddus at Sri Venkateswara temple in Tirupati.

A bench of Justices BR Gavai and KV Viswanathan recorded that since the investigation was underway it was not appropriate on the part of high constitutional functionary to make a statement which would have affected the public sentiments.

The apex court in its order also said that Solicitor General Tuhar Mehta will assist in deciding whether the SIT already appointed by the state government should continue or should the probe be conducted by an independent agency, according to ANI.

It further went on to question whether the laddus were sent for testing at all and would it not have been more appropriate to test those first before going public.

"Whether such a statement should have been made that affects the sentiments of the devotees? What was the need of going to the press and making public statement when SIT was ordered?

Bar and Bench reported that "Prima facie there is nothing to show, no concrete proof at this stage, that the same ghee was used and procured. Even pending investigation when such statements are made by responsible public functionaries then what effect it will have on the SIT? What was the material?"

The matter will be heard again on October 3.

It may be recalled that Naidu had recently alleged that animal fat was used in the laddus given as prasad at the renowned Sri Venkateswara Swami temple in Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh.