The investigation by the Special Investigation Team (SIT) into the alleged adulteration of ghee used in making Tirupati laddus has been halted by the Andhra Pradesh government until the next Supreme Court hearing on October 3.
Supreme Court criticizes Andhra for going public with its claims
The Supreme Court criticized the Andhra Pradesh government for publicly claiming that animal fat was possibly used in making Tirupati laddus without concrete evidence, just a day before this new development.
Andhra top cop Dwaraka Tirumala Rao said the decision was taken as a “precautionary measure” to ensure the probe’s integrity. “We have stopped the probe for the time being in view of the ongoing hearing in the Supreme Court. Our team has conducted various inspections, recorded statements of a few people and done a preliminary investigation,” he said.
Also read: Jagan Reddy cancels Tirupati visit amid ‘animal fat in laddu’ row
SIT earlier visited flour mill in Tirumala where the ghee is stored
Earlier this week, the SIT visited the flour mill in Tirumala where the ghee is stored before being used in making laddus, distributed as prasadam to millions of visitors to the hill shrine annually.
An FIR was filed on September 25 and a SIT was established on September 26 to investigate the issue.
Nevertheless, the Supreme Court criticized the government on Monday, stating that there was no evidence to suggest contaminated ghee was used in making laddus at Tirupati temple.
“It is very clear from the report that this is not the ghee which has been used. Unless you are sure, how did you go into public with that?” a bench of Justices BR Gavai and KV Viswanathan said.
