SC forms independent SIT to probe claims of use of animal fat in making Tirupati laddus

PTI New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Friday set up a fivemember "independent" SIT to probe into the allegations of use of animal fat in making Tirupati laddus, while making it clear that it will not permit the court to be used as a "political battleground". The development assumes significance as the top court appointed panel would replace the Andhra Pradesh government's special investigation team (SIT) constituted on September 26 to probe the politically sensitive row over alleged use of animal fat in making these laddus. A bench of Justices B R Gavai and K V Viswanathan said the independent SIT will comprise two officials each from the CBI and the Andhra Pradesh Police besides a senior Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) official.

"We clarify that we will not permit the court to be used as a political battleground. However, in order to assuage the feelings of crores of people, we find that the investigation should be conducted by an independent SIT consisting of representatives of the state police, the CBI and a representative of the FSSAI," the bench said. The bench directed it will be appropriate that the investigation is carried under the supervision of the Director of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). "We don't want this to be turned into a political drama. There are sentiments of crores of people throughout the world," the bench observed during the hearing. Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu had claimed earlier this month that animal fat was used in preparing Tirupati laddus during the previous Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy-led regime in the state, triggering a massive political row.

The YSR Congress Party has accused Naidu of indulging in "heinous allegations" for political gains and the ruling Telugu Desam Party in the state circulating a laboratory report to back its claim. The apex court passed the order on a batch of pleas, including those seeking a court-monitored probe into the alleged use of animal fat in making Tirupati laddus. The bench clarified that it has not gone into the allegations and counter allegations made in either of the petitions or the stand of the respondents, including the state government. It also clarified that its order be not construed as any reflection on the fairness of the officers of the state-appointed SIT.

It said the apex court was passing the order of entrustment of probe to an independent agency only to assuage the feelings of crores of people having faith in the deity. "The SIT appointed by the state government is substituted as under…," the bench said. While disposing of the petitions, it said the chairperson of the FSSAI will nominate one senior officer of the authority to be a part of the independent SIT.