New Delhi : The Supreme Court has taken a significant step by ordering the formation of an independent Special Investigation Team (SIT) to thoroughly probe the serious allegations surrounding the use of adulterated ghee in the preparation of Prasadam laddus at the Tirumala Tirupati Temple. The SIT will consist of two officers from the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), two officers from the Andhra Pradesh Police, and a senior officer from the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI). The investigation will be supervised by the Director of the CBI, ensuring impartiality and a comprehensive review of the claims.
During today’s hearing, the Supreme Court made it clear that it was not making any observations on the merits of the allegations or the counter-allegations in the case. The Court emphasized that its decision to order the probe should not be politicized, and urged all parties to respect the sanctity of the issue. The directive for an independent investigation was made to address the concerns and sentiments of millions of devotees who worship at the Tirumala Tirupati Temple. The Court’s move aims to maintain the temple’s integrity and ensure that the sacred prasadam is prepared with the highest standards.
The case has attracted attention due to various petitions filed by prominent figures, including BJP leader Subramanian Swamy, Rajya Sabha MP and former Chairman of Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam YV Subba Reddy, historian Vikram Sampath, and spiritual discourse speaker Dushyanth Sridhar. These petitions reflect the broad concern from both political and religious circles over the purity of the prasadam, a deeply revered aspect of temple rituals.
In an earlier hearing on Monday, the Supreme Court questioned former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu for making public allegations regarding the use of adulterated ghee in the prasadam without providing conclusive evidence. Naidu’s comments had triggered a political storm, with the issue taking center stage in public discourse.
The controversy first erupted last month on the 18th when Naidu claimed that during the tenure of the previous YS Jagan Mohan Reddy-led government, animal fat had been used in the preparation of the famous Tirupati laddus. His allegations fueled a major political spat, with leaders from various parties taking strong positions on the matter. However, with the Supreme Court now ordering an impartial investigation, the focus has shifted towards finding the truth behind these claims, while also attempting to calm the emotions of the devotees concerned about the sanctity of the prasadam.
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