Supreme Court mandates special investigation into Tirupati laddoo controversy
- In Reports
- 03:27 PM, Oct 04, 2024
- Myind Staff
The Supreme Court has directed a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to conduct an independent investigation into claims that animal fat was used in the laddoos at the Tirupati temple. The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) senior officer, two state police officers, and two CBI officers will be part of the SIT that the top court ordered.
A court composed of Justices BR Gavai and KV Viswanathan stated that, since the matter is one of faith for millions of followers worldwide, they do not wish to see political drama surrounding it. The bench claimed that the accusations might harm sentiments among individuals all across the world.
Speaking on the matter, Justice Gavai, “We clarify that we have not gone into allegations and counter allegations in either plea. We will not permit the court to be used as a political battleground. To assuage feelings of crores of people, we find that an investigation by an independent SIT consisting of representatives of state police, CBI, and FSSAI, shall be done. We also direct that investigation is under the director of CBI.”
He further added, “We don’t want this to turn into political drama. If there is an independent body, there will be confidence.”
The authorities at the temple claimed that their ghee supplier took advantage of the absence of internal food testing facilities at the temple. The dairy company from Tamil Nadu that had provided Tirumala with ghee in June and July asserted that its shipments had passed laboratory testing and that it had documentation to support this claim.
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