NEW DELHI: The controversy over allegations of adulteration in the famous Tirumala laddu prasadam took a significant turn on Friday. The Supreme Court has ordered a detailed investigation by a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to look into the matter. The Andhra Pradesh government, represented by senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi, agreed with the Court’s decision and promised full cooperation. Rohatgi also said that any officials nominated by the Court for the SIT would be acceptable.
The Supreme Court heard petitions on October 4, 2024, asking for an independent probe into the adulteration claims. The hearing was led by Justice B.R. Gavai and Justice K.V. Viswanathan. During the session, the Court gave important orders to form an SIT to investigate the matter deeply. The SIT will include two officials from the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), two from the Andhra Pradesh police, and one senior official from the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI).
The Supreme Court stressed that the investigation should be supervised by the CBI Director, who will also select the two CBI officials for the SIT. The judges noted that the Tirumala laddu holds deep spiritual meaning for millions of devotees, making it crucial to have a transparent and honest investigation.
The bench also mentioned that the issue is closely tied to the emotions of the devotees and should not be turned into a political matter. Justice Gavai and Justice Viswanathan said that an unbiased investigation would help build trust among the devotees regarding the quality and safety of the laddu prasadam.
The Andhra Pradesh government did not oppose the Supreme Court’s decision, allowing the formation of the independent SIT to move forward. The Court’s intervention aims to address the concerns of devotees by ensuring a fair investigation, preserving the sanctity of the famous Tirumala laddu. The SIT is expected to uncover the truth behind the adulteration allegations soon.
