From Our Legal Correspondent
New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Monday reprimanded Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu for going public and making statements on the Thirupathi Laddu case. Naidu had accused his predecessor Y S Jagmohan Reddy for the use of “impure ghee” in making the famous Thirupathi Laddu. Laddu is the sought-after “prasadam” of the Thirumala Venkateshwara shrine, the richest and most famous Hindu temple across the globe. Early this month a rumour was spread that the tallow mixed ghee was used in the laddu and the Chief Minister has public accused Reddy for the supply of adulterated ghee for the Prasadam.
In fact, Chandrababu Naidu had triggered a political storm by claiming that animal fats were found in the ghee used for preparing the sacred prasad for the Tirupati Venkateshwara temple.
But today, while hearing the case, a division bench of the apex court consisting of Justice Gavai and Justice Viswanathan observed that being a person occupying a constitutional position the Chief Minister should have restrained from making comments before proper lab test were conducted.
The Apex Court observed that the Andhra Pradesh government had constituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe allegations of contamination in the prasadam only on September 26 and the First Information Report was lodged September 25. However, Mr. Naidu hurriedly addressed the media on September 18, without any proof to back his claims.
Justice Viswanathan said that test reports available in the public domain did not prima facie indicate the use of animal fat in the preparation of the laddus. “As we stand today, there is nothing to show that the ghee used was contaminated,” the judge observed.
Reprimanding CM Naudu the Court observed further said “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.”
The Court also asked Solicitor General Tushar Mehta to inform the Bench whether the SIT formed by the State should be allowed to continue with the probe or investigation should be transferred to a different agency.
The matter is scheduled to be herd again on October 3
