Tirupati: Andhra Pradesh DGP Ch Dwaraka Tirumala Rao announced on Tuesday that the Special Investigation Team (SIT) investigating the alleged adulteration of Tirupati laddus with animal fats has temporarily suspended its probe, as the case is now sub-judice in the Supreme Court.
The SIT, constituted by the Andhra Pradesh government, had been actively investigating the procurement and sampling processes involved in making the sacred laddus at Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD). Over the past two days, officials had visited the laddu-making facilities, spoken to Sri Vaishnavas, and explored how adulteration with animal fats could have occurred. However, the DGP stated that the investigation has now been paused following an order from the Supreme Court.
“First, the SIT needed to understand the process, study it thoroughly, and gather all the relevant information. But as the case is now under the scrutiny of the apex court, we have decided to suspend the investigation in line with the court’s directive,” DGP Rao told reporters.
The Supreme Court, while hearing a series of petitions related to the laddu adulteration case on Monday, asked Solicitor General Tushar Mehta to assist in determining whether the SIT should continue its investigation or if an independent agency should take over. The court scheduled the next hearing for October 3, and Mehta has been tasked with advising the court on the appropriate course of action.
The SIT, led by Guntur Range Inspector General of Police (IGP) Sarvashresth Tripathi, was formed by Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu following accusations against AR Dairy for allegedly supplying adulterated ghee used in the preparation of the iconic Tirupati laddus. The investigation, which aimed to probe all individuals and entities involved in the supply chain, had no fixed deadline for submitting its findings. The SIT had also planned to question TTD board members, officials, and workers.
The case has attracted widespread political attention, with leaders from various parties expressing their concerns. Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan remarked that the Supreme Court had not declared the ghee to be “unadulterated” and indicated there was still confusion surrounding the issue. BJP Andhra Pradesh chief D. Purandeswari defended Chief Minister Naidu, emphasizing that his comments were made in his capacity as the constitutional head of the state.
TDP spokesperson Pattabhiram Kommareddy reaffirmed the party’s stance on the matter, welcoming a court-monitored investigation or a probe by a central agency. Meanwhile, senior YSRCP leader Ambati Rambabu criticized the SIT investigation, calling it insufficient and demanding a Supreme Court-monitored inquiry instead.
The controversy intensified following allegations by Naidu during a recent NDA legislative party meeting, where he claimed that the previous YS Jagan Mohan Reddy-led government had allowed substandard ingredients, including animal fats, to be used in the preparation of the sacred laddus. These remarks ignited a nationwide uproar, with many devotees expressing their outrage.
During Monday’s hearing, the Supreme Court noted that the lab reports on the alleged adulterated ghee were inconclusive and indicated that only “rejected ghee” had been tested. The court further emphasized that religious institutions should remain free from political influence and raised questions about Naidu’s claims regarding the previous government’s handling of the laddu preparation.
The ongoing legal battle and political implications have left the fate of the SIT investigation uncertain, with the Supreme Court’s next steps likely to determine how the probe will proceed. As the case continues to garner attention, the suspension of the SIT’s work underscores the sensitive nature of the allegations and the high stakes involved for both the state government and the religious sentiments of millions of devotees.
