SC allows SIT to delegate officer, overseeing Tirupati laddu investigation

New Delhi

The Supreme Court on Friday stayed the Andhra Pradesh High Court’s order that criticized the CBI Director for allegedly violating directions by appointing an officer outside the Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe charges of adulterated ghee used in Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam (TTD) laddus.

A bench led by Chief Justice BR Gavai, along with Justices K Vinod Chandran and NV Anjaria, said there was no issue with the SIT delegating tasks to another officer since the entire probe was under the CBI Director’s supervision. “If the SIT wants to assign duties to a particular officer, what’s wrong with that?” the CJI asked.

The stay came after the CBI Director appealed the High Court’s order. The opposing counsel argued that the Supreme Court had earlier directed the SIT to include two CBI officers, two state police officers, and one FSSAI officer, and no other members should be added.

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the CBI, said the High Court’s observations undermined the probe and cast doubt on the SIT’s functioning. He clarified that the officer in question acted merely as a record keeper, not an investigator.

The High Court had objected to the inclusion of J Venkat Rao, stating he was not officially named as a member of the SIT. The order came after a plea by Kuduru Chinnappanna, who alleged Rao forced him to give false statements and issued repeated notices despite not being an SIT member.

In 2024, the Supreme Court had formed the SIT to investigate claims of animal fat being used in making TTD laddus offered as prasadam at the Sri Venkateswara Temple in Tirumala.