The Supreme Court has ordered to reopen the investigation into complaints about the use of adulterated ghee in laddus distributed as prasadam at Sri Venkateswara Swamy Temple in Tirumala, Andhra Pradesh. The previous YSRCP government closed the investigation.
The court directed the constitution of a five-member Special Investigation Team. This team would include two officers from the CBI, two officers from Andhra Pradesh police. And one senior officer from the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India. The director of CBI will oversee the team’s work.
Petitioners submitted a series of requests to the Supreme Court, seeking a court-monitored investigation. Into the serious allegations that animal fat was used to prepare prasadam laddus at the Tirumala Tirupati temple.
The Supreme Court, while pronouncing the order, made it clear that it did not want to make the investigation an issue of political rivalry. It also said that it was confident that this independent body would conduct a proper inquiry into the alleged illegal snooping. Kapil Sibal, the senior advocate for one of the petitioners, requested the court to constitute the independent SIT.
Central government counsel Solicitor General Tushar Mehta highlighted the seriousness of the allegations: “If there is an iota of truth in this matter, it is absolutely unacceptable.” He further added that having a senior central officer oversee the SIT would instill public confidence.
On a related note, the Supreme Court also asked Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu to explain the public statements he has been making about the laddus being prepared with adulterated ghee. The court said that the Chief Minister should have restrained himself from making all those charges without clinching proof.
Justice BR Gavai and KV Viswanathan then observed that there is no specific evidence to clearly establish the allegations. With regard to the use of adulterated ghee in the preparation of prasadam. An investigation into such serious allegations would clear the doubt for restoring public confidence in the temple practice.
ANI
