New Delhi [India], September 30 : The Supreme Court on Monday questioned Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu for making public allegations about the use of adulterated ghee for the preparation of laddus, which were served as prasadam at the Sri Venkateswara Swamy Temple in Tirumala.
A bench of Justices BR Gavai and KV Viswanathan criticised the Chief Minister, saying there is no conclusive proof yet to substantiate that contaminated ghee was used in preparation of prasadam laddus.
It questioned the need to make a public statement on the issue when a probe had already been ordered by the state into the allegations.
The bench also asked Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Centre, to seek instructions from the Central government on whether an independent investigation is required and posted the matter to October 3 at 3.30 pm.
"We are prima facie of the view that when the investigation was under process, it was not appropriate for the high constitutional authority to make a statement that can affect the sentiments of crores of people. In that view of the matter, we find that it would be appropriate if the Solicitor General assists us on whether the SIT by the state should continue or the investigation should be by an independent agency," said the bench in it's order.
The apex court was hearing a batch of petitions seeking court-monitored investigation into the allegations of 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.
During the hearing, the top court asked the Andhra Pradesh government whether the alleged adulterated laddus had been sent for testing.
There was no prima facie evidence to show that the ghee in question was used in the process of making laddus, the bench said as it read the lab report.
It asked, "Whether such a statement should have been made that affects the sentiments of the devotees? What was the need of going to the press and making a public statement when SIT was ordered?"
The bench further observed that there are some disclaimers in the lab report. "It is not clear, and it is prima facie indicating that it was rejected ghee, which was subjected to test. This report, prima facie, indicates that this is not the material which was used in the preparation of the laddus. If you yourself have ordered investigation, what was the need to go to press," bench asked senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi, appearing for the government.
Senior advocate Siddhartha Luthra, appearing for Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD), said that there were complaints regarding the quality of laddus and possible contamination. He also said that the lab report of the NDDB showed contamination and the nature of contamination was under enquiry.
Luthra said that there were complaints regarding the quality of laddus and possible contamination. He also said that the lab report of the NDDB showed contamination and the nature of contamination was under enquiry.
At the end of the hearing, Solicitor General said that this is a matter of faith. "If this ghee was used, it's unacceptable. It has to be seen who was responsible and this needs to be examined," he added.
Senior advocate Rajashekhar Rao, appearing for Dr. Subramanian Swamy, ever, said the Chief Minister's statements were controverted by the Executive Officer of the TTD, who said that such ghee was never used in prasadam.
He said that when such statements are made by persons holding responsible posts without adequate material, they have far-reaching ramifications and can vitiate harmony.
Rao said, "If there is a question mark on the deity's prasadam, then it has to be examined. Now with that statement made (by the Chief Minister), can they have a free and fair enquiry?"
Rohatgi for the State of Andhra Pradesh said that Swamy's petition was not bona fide and was filed to espouse the cause of the previous government led by YSRCP.
The top court was hearing petitions filed by Subramanium Swamy, Rajya Sabha MP and ex TTD Chairman YV Subba Reddy, Surjit Singh Yadav, President of non government organisation Hindu Sena Samiti, historian Dr. Vikram Sampath, chairman managing director (CMD) and the editor-in-chief of Sudarshan Suresh Chavhnake and others.
Petitions sought court-monitored investigation into the allegations levelled by TDP-led Andhra Pradesh government regarding use of adulterated ghee in preparation of laddus at the Tirumala Tirupati Temple during the previous YSRCP regime.