Tirupati laddu row: Delhi HC refuses interim relief to ex-chairman of board

The Delhi High Court has refused interim relief to former Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) chairman YV Subba Reddy against the alleged defamatory publications regarding the adulteration of the Tirupati ‘ladduprasadam’.

Reddy, who was the chairman of the board of the committee of management of TTD from June 2019 to August 2023, had approached the court seeking a temporary restraining order against the defendants (organisations, publishers and writers of the alleged defamatory articles).

“Defamatory Statements have been made by the defendants alleging wrongdoings by the plaintiffs in the procurement of ghee for Lord Sri Venkateswara Swamy Temple of Tirumala, which is one of the holiest shrines to all persons who are following faith of Hinduism,” Reddy’s plea said.

In an order dated December 23, Justice Amit Bansal said, “It is well-settled that ex parte ad interim injunctions could only be granted under exceptional circumstances.”

Ex parte ad-interim injunctions are urgent court orders granted without hearing the other side (ex parte) to provide immediate, short-term relief (ad interim) in emergencies, preventing irreparable harm.

“Court is not inclined to grant an ex parte ad interim injunction against the defendants qua the impugned publications/posts/articles. In my prima facie view, it would only be reasonable to allow the defendants to present their defence in respect of their publications, posts, and articles,” Justice Bansal said. He said it was premature to consider interim relief without first hearing the defendants.

The judge, however, cautioned the defendants that any fresh publications after the present order would remain open to judicial scrutiny and could attract legal consequences depending on their content.

The court has posted the matter for further proceedings on January 29.

The controversy in the case arose after Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu claimed that animal fat was used in preparing Tirupatiladdus during the previous YS Jagan Mohan Reddy-led regime in the State. The YSR Congress Party then accused Naidu of indulging in “heinous allegations” for political gains while the ruling Telugu Desam Party in the State circulated a laboratory report to back its claim.