Naivedyam to Tirumala: Not a forum for political battles
(Part 2)
The question is, what is cooking in the POTU (called the kitchen of Sri Varu)? I am worried that every day at every offer (Naivedyam), Prasadam as laddu and anna Prasadam, is made of rice.
The Laddu (the sweet Prasadam made from ghee, evolved from butter) is associated with the divine sentiments that affect the sanctity of the temple, sentiments shared by billions of pilgrims. We stand up from our seats, take off our footwear, with great respect. Take a piece of Laddu offering with Om Namo Venkateshaya in my house and office on the table, to eat.
The Hon. Andhra Pradesh High Court’s order on July 10, 2025, in WP No.14239/2025 stated that the enquiry into allegations of adulterated ghee by SIT was scrapped as ‘ab initio’. The High Court reminded the boundaries between judicial mandates and executive discretion, even when exercised by premier agencies like the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).
‘Ghee to the fire was the Chief Minister’s Remark
The CM Chandrababu Naidu himself has added ‘GHEE’ to the fire, calling the controversy. It began with an incendiary statement by the Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh on September 18, 2024, alleging that ghee used in the preparation of the iconic TTD Laddu under the previous regime contained animal fat.
That rattled public faith
Such an assertion, coming from a high constitutional authority, rattled public faith in the religious institution. Soon after, contradictory statements appeared in the press, including denials from the Executive Officer of the TTD.
The adulterated Laddu before the SC
Alarmed by the possible communal and emotional repercussions, the Supreme Court stepped in on a writ petition (WP(C) No.622/2024) on 30.9.2024. The AP Chief Minister, on his own, admitted in a statement on 18.09.2024 that ghee containing animal fat was being used to make prasadam laddus at Tirupati Tirumala under the previous regime. But the TTD claimed that there was no such adulteration. The Supreme Court “admittedly, even according to the State Government, an investigation of the matter was necessary and as such, an SIT came to be appointed on 26.9.2024 to investigate the FIR dated 25.09.2024”.
A Constitutional/Judicial Point No.1: SC Order 26th Sept. 2024
The SC begins the ‘indictment’ of the CM for constituted SIT on 26th September 2024 before FIR being lodged, saying “we are, prima facie, of the view that it was not appropriate on the part of a high constitutional functionary (CM of AP) to go in public to make a statement which can affect the sentiment of crores of people, and when an investigation to find out adulterated ghee was used to make laddus was underway.
The SC ordered that it would be appropriate for SG Tushar Mehta to assist us in deciding whether the investigation by a SIT appointed by the State Government should continue or the investigation should be conducted by an independent agency.
A Constitutional/Judicial Point No. 2: SC order on Oct 4, 2024
But SC in its order of October 4, 2024, held that ‘the investigation must not only be fair but also appear fair, and hence it dissolved the State-constituted Special Investigation Team (SIT) and created an independent SIT under the overall supervision of the Director, CBI. the apex court interestingly, the ‘fire’ continued with the Supreme Court taking cognizance of the Laddu mixing with adulterated ghee”.
Thus, it suffered a serious credibility issue with the SIT of Andhra Pradesh. The Solicitor General was also misguided and doubted these officers. The language used was that another team of SIT substituted the SIT under the leadership of the Director CBI. Is it not a slap to the State Government?
In Writ Petition 622/2024, Dr. Subramanian Swamy, Petitioner-in-person (along with Dr. M Sathya Kumar) with 13 strong eminent advocates, including many senior advocates of the Supreme Court, and Counsel for parties under the leadership of Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, a team of 34 eminent Advocates argued before bench of Justice B R Gavai and Justice K. V. Viswanatham.
A Constitutional/Judicial Point No. 3: Andhra Pradesh HC on 10th April, 2025
Reminding the HC, as SC directed, to constitute a Committee consisting of a retired Judge of SC or a retired Chief Justice of the High Court for a deeper probe into the allegations contained against the manufacture/preparation of Prasadam and the Trust.
HC again reminded SC that “an FIR has been registered alleging therein that the ghee received in two tankers supplied on 06.07.2024 and two tankers supplied on 12.07.2024 by the same supplier found to be adulterated,” saying such allegations have the potential to deeply hurt the sentiments of crores of devotees across the world.”
SG complied with the instructions of SC
It wanted the SG Tushar Mehta to obtain instructions on whether the investigation should continue with the Special Investigation Team (SIT) constituted by the State Government or be taken over by an independent Investigating Agency. SG said that he has verified the credentials of the members of the State Government’s SIT and found them to be officers of good reputation. Accordingly, SG submitted that there would be no objection to the investigation being carried out by the said SIT. However, he further suggested that the apex court may direct a senior officer from the Central Government to supervise the investigation.”
Is it a forum for politics?
The HC stated that the SC said “we also make it clear that this Court will not allow itself to become a forum for political battles” and for maintain public confidence, decided to probed by an independent SIT, which shall include representatives from – the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), the State Government and the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) under the overall supervision of the Director, CBI.” It is again reminded that the HC SC directed to constitute with two officers from the CBI, two officers from Andhra Pradesh Police, and one senior officer of the FSSAI, to be nominated by the respective authorities.
Before the Andhra Pradesh High Court, the writ petition sought “a declaration that the manner and conduct of the SIT officials is to be declared as illegal, arbitrary, without jurisdiction and contrary to the orders of the Hon’ble Supreme Court”. Referring to the Supreme Court at para 9 of the order dated 04.10.2024, held as follows:
“9. However, in order to assuage the feelings of crores of people/devotees, we find that the investigation should be conducted by an independent SIT consisting of the representatives of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), representatives of the State Government, and a representative of the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI). We further find that it will be appropriate that the investigation is carried out under the supervision of the Director of CBI”.
A Constitutional/Judicial Point No. 4: The HC quashed the probevoid ab initio
Despite the Supreme Court’s direction, it’s a surprise that the CBI director was violated. The SIT has violated the Supreme Court; the whole investigation done by the earlier IO is void ab initio. The Rule of Law is substituted by the rule of the CBI director. The Chief Minister, who is the Constitutional Authority, has said that animal fat is used. The SC came down on the conduct. The reason behind it is the emotion and belief of millions of people.
Law professor and eminent columnist
Madabhushi Sridhar Acharyulu, author of 63 books (in Telugu and English), Formerly Central Information Commissioner, Professor of NALSAR University, Bennett University (near Delhi), presently Professor and Advisor, Mahindra University, Hyderabad. Studied in Masoom Ali High School, AVV Junior College, CKM College, and Kakatiya University in Warangal. Madabhushi did LL.M., MCJ., and the highest law degree, LL.D. He won 4 Gold Medals at Kakatiya University and Osmania University.
