Supreme Court forms SIT for probe into Tirupati ‘laddu’ row

The Supreme Court on Friday appointed a five-member independent SIT to probe the alleged use of ghee adulterated with animal fat in preparing “laddus” offered as “prasadam” at the famous Tirumala Tirupati temple in Andhra Pradesh. The SIT has been formed to “assuage the feelings of crores of people”, the court said, while making it clear that it could not be used as a “political battleground”.

A Bench of Justice BR Gavai and Justice KV Viswanathan ordered that the SIT appointed by it would take over the probe from the SIT already appointed by the Andhra Pradesh Government.

It directed the CBI Director to nominate two members to the SIT, while the state would nominate two officers from the state police and the fifth member would be a senior officer of the Food Safety and Authority of India (FSSAI) nominated by its Chairman. The CBI Director would supervise the probe, it said.

The Bench, however, clarified that its order was in no way a reflection on the independence or fairness of the members of the state government-appointed SIT.

“To assuage the feelings of crores of people/devotees, we find that the investigation should be conducted by an independent SIT consisting of representatives of the CBI, state government and the FSSAI,” the top court said.

As the petitioners and respondents – the Andhra Pradesh Government and Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) – indulged in allegations and counter-allegations, the Bench said, “We will not permit the court to be used as a political battleground.” Earlier, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta said the Centre did not have any objection to the state SIT as all its members had a good reputation, but suggested that a senior IPS officer could supervise the probe. However, the petitioners, represented by senior counsel Kapil Sibal and others, wanted an independent SIT to be set up by the top court.

Court bins pleas on SC subclassification

The SC has junked pleas seeking a review of its judgment that SCs and STs are not homogenous groups and the state can subclassify them to ensure greater reservation for some SC/ST groups over others in public employment and admission to government-run educational institutions.