NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Friday ordered the formation of an independent Special Investigative Team ( SIT ) to probe into allegations of animal fat in Tirupati temple laddus. The apex court said that the sentiments of crores of devotees is involved and hence an independent team should replace the SIT formed by Andhra Pradesh government.
The new probing team would comprise of a senior official from Food Safety and Standard Authority of India and two officers from Central Bureau of Investigation and Andhra Pradesh police each.
The bench of justices B R Gavai and K V Viswanathan said that the apex court hasn't gone into merits of allegations and counters on alleged adulteration of the laddus.
"We suggest an independent SIT. It can have two officials from CBI, two from state government, and 1 from FSSAI," the top court said adding that the matter is of grave concern as sentiments of crores of devotees across the world are involved with Titupati prasadam
"FSSAI because they are the most expert apex body, in matters of testing food. Nobody can object to that. We don't want this to turn into political drama. If there is an independent body, there will be confidence," it added.
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta told the bench that if there was any element of truth in the allegations, it was unacceptable.
During the hearing, the bench said that it will not allow the court to be turned into a “political battleground.”
"We clarify that we will not permit the Court to be used as a political battleground," it observed in the order.
Earlier during the previous hearing, the top court questioned Andhra Pradesh chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu's claim that animal fat was used in making Tirupati laddus, stating that at least the Gods should be kept out of politics.
The court sought proof of the claim and noted that the chief minister made the statement on September 18, despite the FIR being lodged on September 25 and a special investigation team (SIT) being constituted on September 26.
The new probing team would comprise of a senior official from Food Safety and Standard Authority of India and two officers from Central Bureau of Investigation and Andhra Pradesh police each.
The bench of justices B R Gavai and K V Viswanathan said that the apex court hasn't gone into merits of allegations and counters on alleged adulteration of the laddus.
"We suggest an independent SIT. It can have two officials from CBI, two from state government, and 1 from FSSAI," the top court said adding that the matter is of grave concern as sentiments of crores of devotees across the world are involved with Titupati prasadam
"FSSAI because they are the most expert apex body, in matters of testing food. Nobody can object to that. We don't want this to turn into political drama. If there is an independent body, there will be confidence," it added.
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta told the bench that if there was any element of truth in the allegations, it was unacceptable.
During the hearing, the bench said that it will not allow the court to be turned into a “political battleground.”
"We clarify that we will not permit the Court to be used as a political battleground," it observed in the order.
Earlier during the previous hearing, the top court questioned Andhra Pradesh chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu's claim that animal fat was used in making Tirupati laddus, stating that at least the Gods should be kept out of politics.
The court sought proof of the claim and noted that the chief minister made the statement on September 18, despite the FIR being lodged on September 25 and a special investigation team (SIT) being constituted on September 26.
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