SIT probe into Tirupati laddus 'adulteration' temporarily stalled: Andhra DGP
What's the story
The Special Investigation Team (SIT) probe into the alleged "adulteration" of Tirupati laddus has been temporarily halted, as the case is now under the Supreme Court's jurisdiction. This was confirmed by Andhra Pradesh Director General of Police (DGP) Dwaraka Tirumala Rao on Tuesday. "First they (SIT) have to understand the process, study it, and take all the information, but in the meantime, an order has come from...Supreme Court and in line with that, we have stopped it (probe)," Rao said.
Investigation progress
SIT inspects flour mill, halts probe following SC order
Before the halt, the SIT had checked out a flour mill in Tirumala where ghee is stored and tested before being used to prepare the laddus. Over two days, they visited various places of Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam, collected information, examined people and recorded statements. Rao said, "In the meantime...we were informed that SC said to halt...(probe)...for some time." However, Rao made it clear that the investigation will begin again once the Supreme Court gives its directives on October 3.
Pending directives
Investigation to resume after Supreme Court's directives
The court had raised questions about Andhra Pradesh CM Chandrababu Naidu's public statement, where he claimed that animal fat was used in making laddus during the previous Jagan Mohan Reddy government. "It is very clear from the report that this is not the ghee which has been used...Unless you are sure, how did you go to public with that?" a bench of Justices BR Gavai and KV Viswanathan said.
Court query
Supreme Court questions proof of ghee used in laddus
The Supreme Court also asked how it could be proved that the same ghee was used in making the laddus. "How do you segregate the contractors? Nowhere is it clear that the same ghee was used," Justice Viswanathan asked. The court has posted pleas, including those seeking a court-monitored probe, for hearing on October 3 and asked Solicitor General Tushar Mehta to assist in deciding whether an independent agency should conduct the probe.