On Friday, the Supreme Court established an “independent” five-member Special Investigation Team (SIT) that includes two Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) officers, to replace the one formed by the Andhra Pradesh government. This new SIT will investigate Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu’s allegations that impure ghee was used in the preparation of Tirupati laddus during the previous Yuvajana Sramika Rythu Congress Party (YSRCP) administration.
A bench comprising Justices B.R. Gavai and K.V. Viswanathan emphasized that they did not want the apex court to become a “political battleground” for the Telugu Desam Party (TDP), led by Naidu, and the YSRCP, led by former Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy, to exchange accusations.
“We do not want any political theatrics. Unfortunately or otherwise, both sides are feuding,” Justice Gavai commented orally. During a hearing on September 30, the court had noted that “at least gods should be kept away from politics.”
Centre’s Involvement
The court brought in the Central government, asserting that it too should be involved in uncovering the truth behind the allegations. Along with including the CBI in the investigation, the Bench placed the probe under the supervision of the CBI Director.
This decision to involve the CBI more significantly came despite Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing the Centre, expressing confidence in the State’s SIT. Mr. Mehta had assured the court that there was “no issue with the investigation being conducted by the SIT [formed by the Andhra Pradesh government]” but had suggested that, at most, a Central government official could oversee the State SIT’s investigation.
However, the Bench underscored the seriousness of the allegations, which concern adulterated ghee used to make temple prasadam.
“The allegations in the FIR have the potential to hurt the sentiments of millions of devotees around the world,” the court emphasized.
No Negative Implication on State SIT
The court made it clear that the formation of the independent SIT, which would include two officers from the Andhra Pradesh Police and a representative from the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), was intended to address the concerns of the devotees, not as criticism of the State SIT.
“This decision should not be viewed as a comment on the independence or integrity of the officers in the State’s SIT. We are assigning this matter to an independent agency solely to alleviate the concerns of millions of devotees who trust in the deity,” the court clarified.
The court dismissed several petitions, including one from former Rajya Sabha member Dr. Subramanian Swamy, which called for the formation of a committee led by a retired Supreme Court judge or a former High Court Chief Justice to conduct a deeper investigation into the preparation of prasadam at the Tirupati temple.
The investigation will focus on an FIR alleging that two tankers of ghee supplied on July 6 and July 12 by the same vendor were contaminated.
Naidu had held a press conference on the issue on September 18.
Senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi, representing the Andhra Pradesh government, stated that there was “conclusive evidence that lard was used” in the ghee. He explained that Naidu had made these claims during a press conference marking 100 days of his government.
Rohatgi was responding to the court’s earlier criticism regarding the haste with which the press conference had been called. He contended that the media had misquoted Naidu.
Mehta emphasized that if the allegations held any truth, they were unacceptable.
“Devotees are spread worldwide, and food safety is also at stake,” he added.