Tirupati Laddu row: Supreme Court to consider shifting probe to independent agency, censures Naidu

The top court also censured Chandrababu Naidu for making a statement on the alleged use of animal fat in laddus even though the probe was underway

The Supreme Court on Monday said it will consider shifting the probe into claims of usage of ghee adulterated with animal fat in the preparation of laddus at the Tirupati Tirumala Temple from the state to an independent agency. It has asked Solicitor General Tushar Mehta to come back with instructions on October 3.

The Tirupati laddu is made by the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam which manages the Tirumala Venkateswara temple.(X)

The top court also censured Andhra chief minister Chandrababu Naidu for making a statement on the alleged use of animal fat in laddus even though the investigation was underway and not even an FIR was lodged into the claims.Earlier, the Supreme Court bench of Justices BR Gavai and KV Viswanathan sought to know what was the evidence that ‘contaminated ghee’ was used in preparing Tirupati Laddus. "At least, we expect the Gods to be kept away from politics," the top court bench observed.

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta told the bench that it was a matter of faith and if contaminated ghee was used in preparation of laddus, it was unacceptable.

Naidu claimed earlier this month that animal fat was used in preparing Tirupati laddus during the previous Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy-led government in the state, triggering a massive political row.

Jagan Reddy rejected allegations