Tirupati Laddus Row: After Supreme Court Raises Questions, Andhra Pradesh Halts SIT Probe Into Animal Fat Allegations

The Special Investigation Team (SIT) has suspended its probe into allegations of animal fat being found in the ghee used for Tirupati laddus, as the case is currently under review by the Supreme Court.

Informing about the development, Andhra Pradesh Director General of Police (DGP), Dwaraka Tirumala Rao said, "SIT investigation will be suspended until 3 October, due to the ongoing hearing in the Supreme Court."

"The SIT was formed to investigate the Tirupati Laddu prasadam case and the suspension is a precautionary measure to ensure the investigation's integrity," the DGP said as the court has asked Solicitor General Tushar Mehta to suggest who should investigate the case.

The DGP said that the SIT headed by an Inspector General, has visited various places of the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) board, the procurement area and the sample collection area and they collected a lot of information.

"They examined people and recorded statements. In the meantime, last evening, we were informed that the Supreme Court said to halt for some time. So, in adherence to the Supreme Court order, we have stopped for the time being," Rao said.

The SIT was formed by the Andhra Pradesh government after Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu alleged that 'beef tallow, fish oil and lard (pig fat) was found in ghee used to make Tirupati laddus when Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy was the CM.