New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Thursday refused to transfer the trial in the Tirupati laddu ghee adulteration case from Andhra Pradesh to another state, dismissing a plea filed by an accused who argued that political statements had created a hostile atmosphere for a fair trial.
A bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi rejected the petition filed by Maharashtra-based dairy businessman Machindra Shantaram Lanke, managing director of Malganga Milk and Agro Products Pvt Ltd.
Senior advocate Siddharth Dave, appearing for Lanke, submitted that repeated comments by political leaders about the case could prejudice the proceedings. He argued that the accused was being drawn into a political dispute and requested that the trial be shifted to a neighbouring state.
The bench, however, said several witnesses were from Andhra Pradesh and moving the trial elsewhere could affect the proceedings. It also took note of the fact that the investigation had been conducted by a Special Investigation Team (SIT) constituted by the Supreme Court itself.
“We are not inclined to transfer the trial. Dismissed,” the bench ordered, according to the Press Trust of India (PTI).
Accused cites political statements and hostile atmosphere
During the hearing, Dave argued that statements made by Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu and Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan had created an environment in which his client could not expect a fair trial.
“It has become a political issue. There is a hostile environment in the state. The chief minister and the deputy chief minister are continuously making statements with regard to the case,” Dave told the court.
He also referred to the forensic report, arguing that it had ruled out the presence of animal fat in the ghee. Despite this, he said, political leaders continued to make statements about the controversy.
“Please transfer the case to the adjoining state, for free and fair trial. Most of the accused are from North India. There is also a language barrier,” Dave submitted.
The lawyer maintained that although the trial judge might not be influenced by political comments, the overall atmosphere could affect the fairness of the prosecution.
He said the accused was being made a participant in a political confrontation despite the case being investigated by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and other members of the independent SIT.
Supreme Court says it has addressed political interference concerns
Responding to the arguments, Chief Justice Surya Kant indicated that the Supreme Court had already taken steps to prevent political interference in the investigation.
“We have silenced them all with our order. If something happens, you can come to us,” the Chief Justice told Dave.
The lawyer, however, reiterated that public statements could create prejudice against his client during the trial.
“Please see the kind of statements that are being made. It causes prejudice to me in my trial. Nobody is immune from it. The trial will be in a very politically hostile environment. The only person who will suffer is me. I am being used in the fight between politicians,” he said.
Dave also pointed out that most of the accused were from northern India and argued that conducting the trial in Andhra Pradesh could create language-related difficulties.
He clarified that he was not asking for the proceedings to be shifted to the Supreme Court, but wanted the case transferred to any neighbouring state.
The bench did not accept the request. It observed that several witnesses were from Andhra Pradesh and that transferring the trial could have implications for the proceedings. The court also noted the independent SIT’s role in investigating the allegations.
The petition was consequently dismissed.
Supreme Court had constituted independent SIT in October 2024
The Tirupati laddu controversy had reached the Supreme Court after allegations emerged that animal fat had been used in the preparation of the famous temple offering.
On October 4, 2024, the Supreme Court constituted a five-member independent SIT to investigate the allegations.
The decision came while the court was hearing several petitions, including requests for a court-monitored investigation into the alleged adulteration of ghee used in preparing the laddus.
The bench said the independent investigation was intended to “assuage the feelings of crores of people”. It also made clear that the court should not be used as a “political battleground”.
The Supreme Court’s intervention followed the Andhra Pradesh government’s decision to establish its own SIT on September 26, 2024.
The independent panel constituted by the court replaced the state government’s investigation team, with the objective of ensuring an investigation involving both central and state authorities.
Five-member panel included CBI, Andhra Pradesh Police and FSSAI officers
The Supreme Court directed that the independent SIT comprise two officers from the CBI, two officers from the Andhra Pradesh Police and a senior official from the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI).
The court specified the process for selecting the members of the panel.
The CBI director was to nominate the two officers representing the central agency, while the Andhra Pradesh government was asked to nominate two police officers.
The chairperson of FSSAI was directed to nominate a senior official from the food safety authority.
The SIT was also directed to function under the supervision of the CBI director.
The structure of the panel brought together officials from the central investigating agency, the state police and the national food safety regulator. The Supreme Court’s order was aimed at ensuring that the investigation did not remain under the control of the state government alone.
The court’s decision to constitute an independent team was significant because the allegations had become a major political controversy in Andhra Pradesh.
How the Tirupati laddu controversy began
The controversy erupted after Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu alleged that animal fat had been used in the preparation of Tirupati laddus during the previous YS Jagan Mohan Reddy-led government.
The allegation triggered a political confrontation between the ruling Telugu Desam Party (TDP) and the opposition YSR Congress Party (YSRCP).
The YSRCP rejected Naidu’s claims and accused him of making what it described as “heinous allegations” for political gains.
The TDP, meanwhile, circulated a laboratory report in support of its allegations about the quality of the ghee used in the preparation of the temple offering.
The claims prompted widespread public concern because the Tirupati laddu is a religious offering distributed at the Tirumala Venkateswara Temple and holds considerable significance for devotees.
The controversy also raised questions about the procurement and quality testing of ingredients used in preparing the laddus.
The Supreme Court subsequently stepped in to ensure that the allegations were investigated by an independent team rather than allowing the dispute to remain solely within the political sphere.
Trial to continue in Andhra Pradesh
With the Supreme Court rejecting Lanke’s plea, the trial will not be shifted out of Andhra Pradesh on the grounds raised in the petition.
The accused had argued that political comments, the alleged hostile atmosphere and language barriers could affect the fairness of the proceedings. The bench, however, gave weight to the presence of several witnesses in the state and the fact that the investigation had been carried out by a Supreme Court-constituted SIT.
The Chief Justice also indicated that the accused could approach the court again if any specific issue arose despite its earlier directions.
The latest order does not determine the guilt or innocence of the accused or settle the underlying allegations concerning the ghee used in Tirupati laddus. Those issues remain subject to the investigation and judicial proceedings.
The decision is limited to the request to transfer the trial. The case will continue in Andhra Pradesh, with the Supreme Court having declined to move it to another state.