The Supreme Court on Friday dismissed a PIL that sought a CBI investigation into the alleged use of animal fat in the preparation of Tirupati laddus during the tenure of the previous Y. S. Jagan Mohan Reddy-led government.
A bench comprising Justices B R Gavai and K V Viswanathan dismissed the plea filed by one K A Paul, a social activist and president of organisation 'Global Peace Initiative'. “Going by your prayer, we will have to create separate states for all temples, gurudwaras etc. We can't direct that a separate state be created for a particular religion. Dismissed,” the bench said.
In his petition, Paul had requested a "comprehensive investigation by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI)" into the alleged corruption and mismanagement related to the procurement and preparation of the Laddu Prasadam.
On October 4, the Supreme Court had constituted a five-member independent SIT to investigate the allegations of animal fat being used in the preparation of Tirupati laddus. The court emphasized that the inquiry was aimed at "assuaging the feelings of crores of people" and clarified that it would not allow the court to be used as a "political battleground."
The Supreme Court had directed that the independent SIT would consist of two officers each from the CBI and the Andhra Pradesh Police, along with a senior official from the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI).
In his PIL, Paul highlighted allegations made by Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, who claimed that substandard ingredients, including adulterated ghee, were used in the preparation of the 'Laddu Prasadam'. Paul argued that these allegations had raised serious concerns among devotees and threatened the sanctity of this sacred offering.
The petition also emphasized the rising communal tensions and the violation of fundamental religious rights, referring to Article 25 of the Constitution, which ensures the freedom to practice and propagate religion.
"The Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams is one of the biggest sites for Hindus around the world. The Laddu Prasadam holds immense religious and cultural significance for all Hindus.
"Any compromise on its sanctity not only affects millions of devotees but also tarnishes the reputation of this institution. I have filed this petition in the interest of the devotees and to ensure that political manipulation and corruption do not undermine our sacred traditions" Paul said.
The Chief Minister had alleged that animal fat was used in the preparation of Tirupati laddus during the tenure of the Jagan Mohan Reddy-led government, sparking a major political controversy.
In response, the YSR Congress Party accused Naidu of making "heinous allegations" for political gain, while the ruling Telugu Desam Party in the state circulated a laboratory report to support its claim.
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