Observing that at least Gods should be kept out of politics, the Supreme Court slammed Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu for prematurely going public with the claim that previous regime of YSR Congress Party used substandard ghee containing animal fat to prepare laddus at Sri Venkateswara temple in Tirupati.
Studying the lab report produced by the Government, the Apex Court on Monday, said that the ghee that had been sent for testing was rejected and not used for making laddus.
A Bench of Justices BR Gavai and KV Viswanathan noted that the Chief Minister made the claim on September 18, even though the FIR in the matter was lodged on September 25, and a Special Investigation Team (SIT) was constituted on September 26.
"It was not appropriate on the part of a higher constitutional functionary to go in public and make a statement which can affect the sentiments of crores of people," the Bench said.
The Bench said there is no conclusive proof yet to substantiate such a claim. 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. Justice Gavai also asked whether there was any material with the CM to conclude definitively that animal fat had been used to prepare laddus at Tirupati Temple.
Justice Viswanathan observed that the ghee sample had been rejected as per reports. "So what was the need to go to the press at all, when you yourself ordered an investigation?" the judge asked. "At least the Gods should be kept away from politics," the Court remarked.
The Bench was hearing the petitions filed by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Subramanian Swamy, and former Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) Chairman YV Subba Reddy and historian Vikaram Sampath demanding court monitored probe on the allegations of presence of animal fat in the ghee used in Tirupati laddus.
"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?
Prima facie there is nothing at least to show, no concrete proof to show at this stage, that the same ghee was used and procured. Even pending investigation when such statements are made by responsible public functionaries then what effect it will have on the SIT? What was the material?"
The Court told Senior Advocate Siddharth Luthra, representing TTD, that he was not answering the court's queries on this aspect. "You have still not answered. There is nothing to show that ghee was used. These are processes used to justify the rejection and stop payment!"
The Bench asked Solicitor General Tushar Mehta to assist it in deciding whether the investigation by the state-appointed SIT should continue or the probe should be conducted by an independent agency. The Bench has posted the matter for further hearing on October 3.
Andhra Pradesh CM N Chandrababu Naidu claimed earlier this month that animal fat was used in preparing Tirupati laddus during the previous YS Jagan Mohan Reddy-led government in the state, triggering a massive political row. The YSR Congress has accused Naidu of indulging in "heinous allegations" for political gains.
