Amravati, October 4 (IANS). Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu and his son and cabinet minister Nara Lokesh on Friday welcomed the Supreme Court order for a CBI-monitored investigation into the alleged adulteration of Tirupati laddus.
Naidu tweeted, “I welcome the Supreme Court order to set up an SIT comprising CBI, AP Police and FSSAI officials to investigate the Tirupati laddu adulteration case. Satyamev Jayate. Om Namo Venkateshaya.”
Education Minister Nara Lokesh has also welcomed the order of the Supreme Court. Lokesh wrote, “I welcome the decision of the Supreme Court, which has strengthened the ongoing investigation with the additional support of national agencies (CBI and FSSAI). These agencies are bringing to book the culprits behind the adulteration of the sacred Tirupati laddu.” Truth will prevail.”
It is noteworthy that the new Special Investigation Team (SIT) to be formed will replace the SIT formed by the state government. Following the Supreme Court’s September 30 order, Andhra Pradesh Police had temporarily halted the investigation being conducted by the SIT after the apex court had verbally asked the SIT to keep the investigation on hold till October 3.
After this, Director General of Police Dwaraka Tirumala Rao had announced that the SIT would temporarily stop its investigation. The Supreme Court said that Chief Minister Naidu should have kept God away from politics before making public statements based on uncertain facts. Rao had said on Monday that at present there is nothing to show that animal fat was used in making Tirupati laddus during the previous YSRCP government in Andhra Pradesh.
The Chief Minister had claimed on September 18 that during the YSR Congress Party rule, animal fat was mixed in the ghee used to make laddus in the Tirupati temple. The YSR Congress Party rejected the allegations and accused Naidu of hurting the sentiments of devotees. The state government had constituted a SIT to investigate the allegations. The SIT, headed by Guntur Range Inspector General of Police Best Tripathi, conducted the investigation for three days.
–IANS
RK/CBT
