New Delhi. In the Tirupati temple laddu controversy, the Supreme Court on Monday said that at least the deities should be kept away from politics. Also, while seeking evidence, the court questioned the claim of Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu that animal fat was used in making laddus of Tirupati temple.
A bench of Justices BR Gavai and KV Vishwanathan noted that the Chief Minister made the relevant claim on September 18, while the FIR in the case was registered on September 25 and the Special Investigation Team (SIT) was formed on September 26.
The bench said, “…it is not appropriate for a high constitutional functionary to make such a statement in public which can affect the sentiments of crores of people.” It asked Solicitor General Tushar Mehta to help it decide whether the investigation by the SIT constituted by the state government should continue or an independent agency should investigate.
The bench was hearing several petitions, including one seeking a court-monitored investigation into the alleged use of animal fat in making laddus at the Tirupati temple. During the hearing, the apex court sought evidence that contaminated ghee was used in making laddus of Tirupati temple.
“At least, we hope that the deities will be kept away from politics,” the bench said. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta told the bench that it is a matter of faith and if contaminated ghee has been used in making laddus then it is unacceptable.
The bench fixed October 3 for the next hearing in the case.
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu had earlier this month claimed that animal fat was used in preparing laddus for the Tirupati temple during the previous YS Jagan Mohan Reddy-led government in the state. This had created a large-scale political controversy. YSR Congress had alleged that Naidu had made the “heinous allegation” for political gain.