Tirupati Laddu Controversy: Supreme Court Directions – Create SIT, it will have 2 each from CBI and Andhra Police, one officer from FSSAI.

Regarding the Laddu controversy, the TDP has demanded that the new SIT complete its investigation as soon as possible and submit its report to the Supreme Court.

The case of animal fat used in prasadam (laddus) of Sri Venkateswara Swamy Temple (Tirupati Temple) in Andhra Pradesh was heard by the Supreme Court on Friday. The bench of Justice BR Gavai and Justice KV Vishwanathan ordered the formation of an independent committee (SIT) to investigate.

This committee will consist of 2 officers from the CBI and state police and an officer from the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI). The investigation will be supervised by the CBI director. Earlier, on October 1, the Andhra Police had stopped the SIT investigation into the case.

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta on behalf of the Central Government, Mukul Rohatgi on behalf of the State Government, Siddharth Luthra on behalf of Tirupati Temple and Kapil Sibal argued on behalf of former Tirupati Tirumala Devasthanam (TTD) President YV Subbareddy.

During the hearing, the court said: “Our order should not be taken as a question on the independence or impartiality of the members of the state SIT. We are forming a new SIT by considering only the feelings of millions of people who have faith in God.

The Tirupati laddu controversy erupted when CM Naidu claimed on September 18 that under the Jagan government, animal fat and fish oil were mixed in the ghee used to make laddu. TDP also claimed to have confirmed its allegations with the laboratory report.

Courtroom LIVE:

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta: I have investigated this matter and if there is any truth to these allegations, they are absolutely unacceptable. He has followers all over the country. The Food Safety Act also applies. I have not filed anything against the existing SIT, but a senior central government official should be in charge of it. This will create trust.Judge Gavai: There is no doubt or suspicion about it. I read in the newspapers that the CM said there was no investigation regarding such a probe.Siddharth Luthra: The investigator’s statement was also inaccurate.Mukul Rohatgi: I am speaking on behalf of the state government and calling for the investigation to be conducted solely by the SIT. Any officer of the court’s choosing may be added. No allegation can be made against SIT. The government filed an FIR keeping these sentiments in mind. We don’t trust newspapers.Kapil Sibal: A further statement was made yesterday that it would be better for the court to conduct an independent investigation. If this statement had not been made, the situation would have been different.Mukul Rohatgi :The media report is from July. It’s not that the CM said anything before the report came. What is shown is irrelevant. This happened after 100 days.Siddharth Luthra: We now learn that the main supplier has not supplied the ghee. The laboratory report was also published. TDP had filed a summons.Justice Vishwanathan: We have 5 petitions. The court may appoint an amicus curiae.Moukal Rohatgi: If there is a problem with our status, we can file an affidavit. There is strong evidence that grease was used.Kapil Sibal: In what report is this written? It is vegetable fat and not animal fat. The court should order an independent investigation.Supreme Court: These were two shipments sent on July 6 and 7. The current TDP president has gone on record as saying that this is not the case.Siddharth Luthra: The temple located on the hill is sacred. Nothing unpleasant can happen there. What arrived through July 4 was not tested, but what arrived July 6 and 12 contained a mixture of animal fat.Kapil Sibal: Why did you give him permission to go to the temple? There, you were in charge.

Former CM’s reaction after Supreme Court hearing

On September 30, the Supreme Court said: What is the evidence to show that contaminated ghee was used in making laddus? The court said: “The laboratory report arrived in July. It’s not clear. The Chief Minister ordered an SIT investigation and then made a media statement in September. How can a person in a constitutional position do this?

The court asked advocate Siddharth Luthra, appearing for the Tirupati temple, what was the evidence that contaminated ghee was used in making laddus. Regarding this, the lawyer said that we were investigating. After that, Justice Gavai asked, “Then why was it necessary to speak to the press immediately?” You must respect religious feelings.

Pawan Kalyan’s penance initiation ends, says: I can sacrifice everything for Sanatan On the issue of animal fat in prasadam (laddus) of Sri Venkateshwara Swamy Temple (Tirupati Temple) of Andhra Pradesh, Deputy CM Pawan Kalyan said that adulteration in prasad is like an iceberg (small part). There’s a lot of stuff underneath that needs to be looked at.

In fact, after the Laddoo controversy came to light, deputy CM Pawan Kalyan had undergone an 11-day penance initiation. After completing the initiation on October 3, he had darshan of Venkateswara Swami and later addressed a public meeting. Pawan said: Those who destroy Sanatan will themselves turn into dust. I am Sanatan Dharma and I can sacrifice everything for this.

After the laddu controversy came to light, deputy CM Pawan Kalyan had undergone an 11-day penance initiation.

SIT had inspected Tirumala flour mill Earlier on September 30, the SIT had investigated many places. SIT officials inspected the Tirumala flour mill. This is where the ghee is stored. This ghee is used in Laddoo Prasadam.

SIT chief Sarvesh Tripathi and his team had also investigated the ghee tankers and the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam (TTD) laboratory in Tirumala. However, after the case was taken to the Supreme Court, the investigation was stopped on October 1.

The tankers from which ghee is supplied to the Tirupati temple were also inspected.

The SIT team also questioned officials of the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam (TTD) laboratory.

Laddus are made from Nandini ghee in Tirupati temple, the ghee supplier is monitored by GPS. Nandini ghee is now used to make laddus in Tirupati temple. Nandini is a popular brand of Karnataka Milk Federation. Amid the controversy, barely a month ago, Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam (TTD) awarded the contract to supply ghee to the Karnataka Milk Federation.

Karnataka Milk Federation Managing Director MK Jagadish said: We have installed GPS systems and geo-tracking devices in our vehicles. These vehicles supply ghee to the temple. By installing a GPS system, we know where the vehicle stopped, to avoid tampering. The Karnataka Milk Federation was awarded the contract for the supply of 350 tonnes of ghee.

How did this controversy arise? The Karnataka Cooperative Milk Federation (KMF) had been supplying ghee to the Trust at concessional rates for 50 years. 1,400 tonnes of ghee are used in the Tirupati temple every six months. In July 2023, the company refused to supply at a lower rate, after which the Jagan (YSRCP) government gave the supply work to 5 companies. One of them is AR Dairy Foods based in Dindigul, Tamil Nadu. A defect was found in its product in July this year.