SC: Andhra probe won’t impact Tirumala laddu case

The Supreme Court on Monday said the Andhra Pradesh government’s administrative enquiry into lapses in the Tirumala Srivari laddu prasadam case would not interfere with the criminal proceedings.

A Bench headed by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi observed that the one-man committee constituted by the State would focus on procedural lapses and accountability. The Bench clarified that the enquiry would not impact the criminal case, in which chargesheets have already been filed.

“Such an administrative enquiry does not overlap with the criminal proceedings,” the Bench said.

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta informed the court that the criminal probe had been completed. The FIR was registered in 2024, and the investigation was later entrusted to a Special Investigation Team (SIT).

The court was hearing a plea by Dr. Subramanian Swamy, who contended that a parallel State enquiry could weaken the criminal proceedings. Mr. Mehta submitted that the SIT had identified administrative lapses and duly informed the State government.

The SIT’s 11-page report pointed to serious irregularities, rule violations, and alleged misconduct between 2019 and 2024, recommending stringent action against those responsible.

In its Self-Contained Note, the SIT flagged the role of the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) Purchase Committee in the alleged adulterated ghee episode.

Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams officials and committee members were cited for “deliberate omissions and failures in both the relaxation and enforcement of tender conditions,” the report said.

The SIT noted that violations occurred at several stages, including tender modifications, procurement, and ghee supply. It also pointed to changes made to tender conditions in 2020, allegedly without due diligence, which enabled ineligible firms to participate.