Hearing in Supreme Court today on Tirupati Laddu controversy, petitioner demands CBI investigation
Tirupati Laddu Case: The Supreme Court will hear the Tirupati temple Laddu case today. The petitioner has said that the investigation has revealed the facts that animal fat, fish oil, and other non-vegetarian things were used in the laddu prasadam in Tirumala. This act is not only a gross violation of Hindu religious customs but has also deeply hurt the sentiments of countless devotees.
A bench comprising Justice BR Gavai and Justice KV Vishwanathan will take up the case for hearing on September 30 as per the cause list published on the website of the apex court. The Supreme Court will hear on Monday a number of PILs seeking intervention in the matter relating to adulteration of animal fat in ghee used in making Tirupati temple laddus.
The PIL filed by advocate Satyam Singh has sought a judicial probe by constituting a committee headed by a former judge of the Supreme Court into criminal conspiracy and mismanagement of TTD Trust, which is managing the affairs of the shrine or a CBI probe.
The petition said the inquiry revealed the addition of animal fat, fish oil, and other non-vegetarian items to prepare Laddu Prasadam.
This act is nothing but a gross violation of Hindu religious customs, and it has hurt the sentiments of scores of devotees. According to the petition, adulteration of prasad with animal fat at Tirumala Tirupati Balaji temple is a serious violation of Article 25 of the Constitution that guarantees right to freedom of religion. Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu has already constituted an SIT to probe into the matter.
Former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy contradicted yet again Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu's statement that earlier when the YSRCP was in power, adulterated ghee was used after boiling to prepare Tirupati laddu. On Sunday, the YSRCP chief said that the statement of TTD Executive Officer appointed by Chandrababu Naidu government is contradictory to the CM's claims.
Jagan Mohan asked the Chief Minister in a post on Instagram, "What does this mean? Is this evidence not enough? Satyameva Jayate.''
Jagan Mohan cited a statement by TTD EO Rao on July 23. Rao had said that TTD had found vanaspati mixed in ghee and two tankers were returned. On September 18, CM Naidu alleged that animal fat was used instead of ghee in making laddus.
Supreme Court Chief Justice DY Chandrachud on Sunday offered prayers at the Lord Sri Venkateswara Swamy temple in Tirumala here. The CJI prayed in the sanctum sanctorum along with his family. After the darshan of Lord Venkateswara, the CJI and his family took Vedic blessings from the temple priests at Ranganayakula Mandapam. During this, Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam Executive Officer J Shyamala Rao presented a picture of Sri Venkateswara Swamy and Tirtha Prasadam to the CJI.
