Supreme Court Rejects Subramanian Swamy's Plea Against Andhra Pradesh's TTD Laddu Inquiry
The Supreme Court of India on Monday firmly declined to entertain a petition filed by former parliamentarian Subramanian Swamy. The plea sought to restrain the Andhra Pradesh government from conducting an administrative inquiry aimed at identifying lapses and fastening responsibility on officers concerning the alleged adulteration of Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam (TTD) laddu prasadam.
Arguments Presented Before the Bench
During the proceedings, Swamy's counsel argued that the administrative inquiry would overlap and potentially interfere with the investigations being conducted by a Special Investigation Team (SIT). This SIT was constituted by the Supreme Court itself to probe the controversy surrounding the alleged adulteration of the sacred prasadam.
Representing the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), Solicitor General Tushar Mehta informed the bench that the SIT has already completed its criminal investigations and filed a chargesheet in the case. The SIT comprises officers from the CBI, Andhra Pradesh police, and the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI).
Senior advocate Sidharth Luthra, appearing for the Andhra Pradesh government, countered Swamy's arguments. He asserted that the administrative inquiry and the criminal investigations by the SIT operate in two entirely different spheres. Luthra emphasized that there was no question of any overlap between the two distinct processes.
Court's Ruling and Rationale
The bench, consisting of Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi, accepted the arguments presented by the state government. In its considered opinion, the court stated that such an administrative inquiry cannot be termed as overlapping with the criminal proceedings, which have already culminated in the filing of a chargesheet and a supplementary chargesheet.
The bench explicitly noted, "We are satisfied that the apprehension expressed by the petitioner does not have a sufficient foundation. Let both the processes continue strictly in accordance with the law." This clear directive allows the Andhra Pradesh government to proceed with its administrative inquiry while the SIT's criminal case moves forward independently.
Background of the Case
This legal development follows a significant order passed by the apex court on October 4, 2024. At that time, the court superseded an SIT originally appointed by the Andhra Pradesh government. It constituted a new SIT comprising two officers each from the CBI and the state police, along with one officer from the FSSAI. The Supreme Court had also directed the CBI Director to monitor the probe to ensure its impartiality and thoroughness.
The case revolves around serious allegations of adulteration in the laddu prasadam distributed at the renowned Tirumala Venkateswara Temple. The prasadam holds immense religious significance for millions of devotees, making the allegations a matter of substantial public and legal concern. The Supreme Court's latest ruling underscores the judiciary's stance on allowing parallel but distinct investigative mechanisms to function without interference, provided they adhere to legal protocols.
