In a significant development, the Supreme Court has ordered the dissolution of the Special Investigation Team (SIT) set up by the Andhra Pradesh government to probe allegations of adulteration in the ghee used to prepare prasad laddus at the Tirupati temple. This move comes in response to concerns over the impartiality and conduct of the investigation.
New Investigation Team Formed
The Supreme Court, in its directive, has established a new investigative team comprising members from multiple agencies to ensure a fair and transparent inquiry. The team will include two officers from the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), two from the Andhra Pradesh Police, and one officer from the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI). The inclusion of FSSAI underscores the importance of maintaining food safety standards in this religiously significant offering.
The two officers from CBI will be selected by the CBI director. Two members of Andhra Pradesh Police will be selected by the state government. The overall investigation will be closely monitored by the CBI director, ensuring central oversight and accountability.
Allegations of Ghee Adulteration
The controversy began when CM Chandrababu Naidu had claimed on September 19, "During the previous government, ghee made from animal fat was used instead of pure ghee in making Tirumala Laddu."
Earlier, while hearing the case on September 30, the Supreme Court had said, "Mixing of politics and religion cannot be allowed."
The Supreme Court had also reprimanded Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu for taking this matter to the media.
Naidu welcomes SC's order
CM N Chandrababu Naidu on Friday welcomed the Supreme Court's decision on constituting an independent Special Investigation Team to conduct a probe into allegations of use of animal fat in making Tirupati laddus.
In a post on 'X', he said: "I welcome the Honourable Supreme Court’s order of setting up SIT, comprising officers from CBI, AP Police and FSSAI to investigate the issue of adulteration of Tirupati laddu."
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