SIT launches investigation into adulterated ghee in Tirupati laddu.
An investigation has been launched into allegations of use of adulterated ghee in the prasad (laddus) of the Sri Venkateswara Swamy temple in Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh. A five-member Special Investigation Team (SIT) formed on the directions of the Supreme Court has started investigating this case. The probe is being headed by senior IPS officer Sarvesh Tripathi of Andhra Pradesh police.
On October 4, the Supreme Court issued an inquiry order on petitions by BJP leader Subramanian Swamy and YSRCP Rajya Sabha member YV Subba Reddy in this matter, following which the SIT probe began.
Allegation of adulteration in Prasad
The allegation in this case was that Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam used animal fat to make laddus during Jagan’s rule. When this matter came to light, a political controversy arose over it.
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu had alleged in September that animal fat was used in the preparation of Tirupati laddus during the YS Jagan Mohan Reddy-led government in the state, sparking a major political controversy. Responding to these allegations, Jagan Mohan Reddy accused Chandrababu of playing dirty politics.
ghee will be tested
The SIT has started verification of the quality and supply process of the ghee purchased by the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams as part of its investigation. Apart from this, an investigation is also underway into the case registered by the state government at the Tirupati-East police station.
Following the Supreme Court order, the probe will be supervised by the CBI director, and the committee includes officials from the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), Andhra Pradesh Police and the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI).
