Tirupati laddu: Why go to press without proof on ghee, Supreme Court asks Andhra

"At least, the Gods should be kept away from politics," the Supreme Court said, questioning Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu's public statement on laddus when an investigation had already been ordered.

In Short

• Supreme Court questions Chandrababu Naidu on his Tirupati laddu allegations
• Court says those on constitutional posts should keep gods away from politics
• Naidu had alleged presence of animal fat in ghee used to prepare Tirupati laddus

The Supreme Court on Monday questioned Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu for going public with allegations that animal fat-laced adulterated ghee was used to prepare the famous laddus at Sri Venkateswara temple in Tirupati without conclusive proof.

"So what was the need to go to the press at all, when you yourself ordered investigation," the top court asked, remarking "At least, the Gods should be kept away from politics".

The top court said that individuals holding constitutional office are expected to keep religion separate from politics, noting that Chief Minister Naidu spoke about the matter even before a case was filed or a Special Investigation Team (SIT) was constituted. The court said that the Chief Minister made the claim on September 18, even though the FIR was lodged on September 25 and a special investigation team (SIT) was constituted on September 26.

"Whether such a statement should have been made that affects the sentiments of the devotees?... We are of the prima facie view that when investigation was ordered, it was not appropriate for a high constitutional functionary go public with the information," a bench of Justices BR Gavai and KV Viswanathan said during a hearing on a batch of petitions regarding the alleged adulteration of Tirupati temple laddus.

"You ordered an SIT. Till the outcome, what is the necessity to go to the press? You have always been appearing for such...this is the second time," the court told Mukul Rohatgi, representing Andhra Pradesh.

Rohatigi argued that these "are not genuine [bonafide] petitions. Attempt to attack the current government by the previous regime. TTD issued a show cause notice to their man what kind of supplies..."

The Supreme Court also asked what the proof was to show that contaminated ghee was used in the preparation of laddus at the Lord Venkateswara Temple. On this, advocate Siddharth Luthra, appearing for the Tirupati Temple, informed the bench, "We are investigating".

Justice Gavai then asked, "Then what was the need to go to the press immediately? You need to respect religious sentiments".

The court also noted that no report proved that the adulterated ghee was used for preparing the laddus. When Luthra told the court that people had complained the laddoo did not taste right, the court asked, "The laddu, which tasted different, was that sent to the lab to find out if it contained contaminated material?"

Justice Viswanathan then asked, "Doesn't prudence dictate that you take a second opinion? In normal situations, we seek a second opinion. There's no proof that the said ghee was used".

The top court asked Solicitor General of India Tushar Mehta to seek instructions from the Centre on whether an investigation by a central agency is required and posted the matter for further hearing to Thursday.

The court was hearing three petitions filed by senior BJP leader Subramanian Swamy, Rajya Sabha MP and former TTD chairman YV Subba Reddy, and the third one by historian Vikram Sampath and spiritual discourse speaker Dushyanth Sridhar.

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu alleged earlier this month that animal fat was used in the preparation of Tirupati laddoos during the tenure of the previous YS Jagan Mohan Reddy-led government, sparking a major political controversy. In response, the YSR Congress Party accused Naidu of making "heinous allegations" for political advantage.