Tirupati Laddoo Row: SC Orders Probe Under CBI Supervision

The Supreme Court on Friday ordered a probe by a special investigation team (SIT), under the supervision of the CBI, into allegations that the previous Andhra Pradesh government had used substandard ghee containing animal fat to prepare Tirupati laddoos. The SIT will also consist of two state police officers and one member of the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI).

A bench of Justices BR Gavai and KV Viswanathan said they do not want political drama over this matter since it is a matter of faith for millions of devotees across the world. The allegations have the potential to hurt sentiments of people, the bench said. The top court, however, clarified that it was passing the order to assuage the feelings of the crores of devotees of the famed Sri Venkateswara Temple.

The controversy erupted last month after Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu, citing a lab report, claimed animal fat and fish oil were found in the ghee used to make the laddoos during the previous YSRCP regime.

In the previous hearing, the Supreme Court came down heavily on the Chief Minister for going public with the claim without conclusive proof. The top court said there was no conclusive proof that animal fat was used to make the laddooos, as the lab report prima facie indicated that the impurities were detected in the ghee samples that were rejected.