OCTOBER 4, 2024-  The SIT will include representatives from the CBI, two state police officers, and a member from the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI). Comprising Justices BR Gavai and KV Viswanathan, highlighted the sensitivity of the matter, stating that the allegations could potentially hurt the sentiments of millions of devotees worldwide. In order to assuage the feelings of crores of people, we find that an investigation by an independent SIT consisting of representatives of state police, CBI, and FSSAI shall be conducted, the bench noted.

The controversy gained momentum last month when Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu claimed, based on a lab report, that animal fat and fish oil were detected in the ghee used to prepare the laddus during the previous YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) regime. The allegation led to a heated political debate, with the state government and opposition parties trading accusations.

During the hearing, senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi, appearing for the state government, argued that the state-appointed SIT should be allowed to continue the investigation. “Any officer of the court’s choice can be added. There can be no allegation against the SIT. We cannot go by some newspaper report, Rohatgi stated. 

However, senior advocate Kapil Sibal, representing one of the petitioners, opposed the move, contending that Chief Minister Naidu’s statements had compromised the impartiality of the probe. Sibal urged the court to order an investigation by an independent body to ensure fairness.

The Supreme Court clarified that the decision to constitute a new SIT was made solely to address the concerns of millions of devotees. Our order should not be construed as a reflection on the independence and fairness of the members of the state SIT. We have constituted the committee only to assuage the feelings of crores of people having faith in the deity, the court stated.

Emphasizing that the investigation must remain apolitical, the Supreme Court refrained from commenting on the merits of the allegations and warned against using the proceedings as a “political battleground. The court has directed the CBI director to monitor the SIT investigation closely.