We demand SIT submit report at earliest: TDP on SC verdict on Tirupati Prasadam row

Hyderabad (Telangana) [India], October 4 (ANI): Telugu Desam Party (TDP) Spokesperson Prem Kumar Jain welcomed the Supreme Court’s verdict on the Tirupati Laddu Prasadam row and demanded that the SIT should submit its report at the earliest.

TDP Spokesperson Prem Kumar Jain said, “The SC has ordered the formation of an SIT consisting of 2 CBI members, 2 state police officers, and 1 member of the FSSAI. We welcome the decision by the SC. Everyone saw how the sentiments of Hindus have been hurt because of the adulteration in laddus. We demand that the SIT submit its report at the earliest and truth will be revealed.”

The Supreme Court on Friday constituted an independent Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe into the allegations of the use of animal fat to make laddus to serve as prasadam at the Sri Venkateswara Swamy Temple in Tirumala, Andhra Pradesh, where Lord Venkateswara is worshipped.

A bench of Justices BR Gavai and KV Viswanathan said sentiments of crores of devotees across the world are involved with Tirumala prasadam. “We don’t want this to turn into political drama. If there is an independent body, there will be confidence,” said the bench as it disposed of the petitions.

The apex court constituted a new SIT, and ordered that the SIT will consist of two officers of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) who will be nominated by the CBI director, two officers of the Andhra Pradesh state police to be nominated by the state government and a senior official of the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI).

The top court said that SIT will be supervised by CBI director and the new SIT will replace the one set up by the the State government.

It clarified that its direction should not be seen as a reflection on the credibility of the members of the SIT, which was constituted by the State government.

“We clarfiy that we will not permit the Court to be used as a political battleground,” said the apex court in the order.

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing Centre, said that there was nothing wrong with the state-SIT and that it could be supervised by an officer from Centre.

Solicitor General said that if there is any element of truth in the allegation, it’s “unacceptable”.

“Devotees are all over the country, food safety also there.I did not find against members of state SIT,” said Mehta.

Senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi, appearing for Andhra Pradesh, said that they wish to go ahead with the SIT constituted by it and any officer of the court’s choice can be added in the team.

“There can be no allegation against the present SIT,” said Rohatgi.Senior Advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for Rajya Sabha MP and Ex-TTD Chairman YV Subba Reddy, urged the top court for constitution of an independent investigation.

State SIT can’t be expected to carry out an independent investigation in light of the prior statements made by the Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu, Sibal said.

Senior advocate Siddhartha Luthra, appearing for Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) said the ghee consingments which reached the hill on July 6 and 12 were contaminated and the contract was given to the supplier in December by the previous regime.