SC allows AP Govt’s One-Member commission probe in laddu case

Metro India News | amaravati

Providing relief to the Andhra Pradesh government, the Supreme Court on Monday permitted the continuation of the State-appointed one-member commission probing allegations of adulterated ghee usage in the preparation of Tirumala Srivari Laddu prasadam. The apex court dismissed a petition filed by former MP Subramanian Swamy challenging the constitution of the commission, thereby clearing the way for the inquiry to proceed.

A Bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi heard the matter and ruled that the State government’s administrative inquiry would not interfere with the ongoing investigation being conducted by a Special Investigation Team (SIT) under the supervision of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).

Swamy had argued that since a CBI-SIT probe was already underway pursuant to earlier Supreme Court directions, the State government could not simultaneously constitute another committee to examine the same issue. In his petition, he had named the Union and State governments, Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD), and the CBI as respondents.

Rejecting these objections, the Bench clarified that the two inquiries operate in distinct domains. The court observed that the one-member commission was formed to identify administrative lapses and recommend corrective measures, whereas the CBI-SIT investigation focuses on criminal accountability. “The committee constituted by the State government is intended to examine administrative deficiencies.

We do not find that it interferes with or overlaps the CBI investigation,” the court noted, adding that both bodies are legally empowered to discharge their respective responsibilities independently.

The controversy pertains to allegations that adulterated ghee may have been used in the preparation of the sacred Tirumala Laddu prasadam, raising serious concerns among devotees and triggering multiple investigations. Earlier, the CBI-SIT, in its findings submitted to the government, reportedly flagged irregularities in ghee procurement tenders and procedural relaxations granted during the purchasing process. The SIT recommended action against those responsible for the alleged lapses.

Based on these findings, the Andhra Pradesh government constituted a one-member commission headed by retired IAS officer Dinesh Kumar to examine administrative accountability and recommend further action. The commission has been directed to submit its report within 45 days.

With the Supreme Court now granting approval for the commission’s continuation, the Dinesh Kumar panel is expected to proceed with its inquiry without legal impediments. The State government is likely to initiate further administrative or disciplinary measures based on the commission’s recommendations once the final report is submitted.