2 pleas filed in Supreme Court over Tirupati laddus row

Two petitions were filed in the Supreme Court over the allegations of substandard ingredients used in laddu prasadam in Tirupati temple. While one petition was filed by ex-TTD Chairman YV Subba Reddy, the other was filed by Rajya Sabha MP Subramanian Swamy.

In Short

• YV Subba Reddy and Subramanian Swamy filed two petitions in Supreme Court
• Pleas demand public disclosure and independent inquiry into the issue
• Subba Reddy criticises lack of explanation from state and central authorities

Two petitions have been filed in the Supreme Court seeking the formation of a committee, under the court's supervision, to investigate allegations of substandard ingredients and animal fat in the ghee used at the Tirupati Tirumala Temple.

One plea was filed by YV Subba Reddy, former Chairman of the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) Board, while the other was submitted by BJP leader Subramanian Swamy.

Both pleas call for a thorough public disclosure and an independent inquiry into the matter. Reddy's petition criticised the lack of explanation from both state and central authorities regarding statements made by former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu, which raised concerns among devotees worldwide.

Reddy’s plea further alleges that Naidu’s party, TDP, deliberately released documents and fuelled discussions in the media to create unrest among devotees of Lord Venkateswara Swamy.

The petitions emphasise the importance of protecting the temple’s traditions, as making laddus as prasadam is a religious custom protected under Article 25 of the Indian Constitution. Both petitions argue that the process should be regulated and supervised by the TTD.

Subramanian Swamy's plea seeks a forensic investigation into the lab reports and sources of the ghee, calling for internal checks within the TTD to ensure the quality of ingredients used in prasadams.