AP Govt Forms 9-member SIT to Probe Tirupati Laddoos Adulteration Allegation

Amaravati: The Andhra Pradesh government has constituted a nine-member special investigation team (SIT) to probe the allegation of adulteration of ghee used in Tirupati laddoos with animal fats.

Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu’s allegation that the erstwhile YSRCP government used used substandard ingredients and animal fats for making laddoos at the Tirupati temple sparked a massive controversy across the country.

“The government of Andhra Pradesh, in accordance with its commitment to protecting the sanctity of Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD), have (has) considered it necessary to constitute an SIT for detailed and comprehensive investigation of the entire issue,” said Chief Secretary Neerabh Kumar Prasad in a late night order on Thursday.

TTD manages the Lord Venkateswara temple in Tirupati.

The SIT is headed by Guntur range Inspector General of Police (IGP) Sarvashresth Tripathi and other police officials.

YSRCP leaders said that the investigation by an agency reporting to the CM cannot be trustworthy and called for a Supreme Court-monitored probe.