Tirpuati Laddu : Supreme Court Refuses To Interfere With AP Govt's One-Man Committee Inquiry Over Ghee Adulteration

The Supreme Court on Monday (February 23) refused to restrain the one-man committee inquiry initiated by the Andhra Pradesh Government into the alleged lapses in relation to the adulteration of the ghee used in the Tirupati temple laddu.

A bench comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justice Joymayla Bagchi was hearing a writ petition filed by Dr. Subramanian Swamy, who contended that the State's parallel inquiry will affect the criminal investigation being handled by the Special Investigation Team formed by the Supreme Court.

Senior Advocate Rajshekhar Rao, submitted that after the SIT investigation, the State has constituted a one-man committee, which will undermine the SIT investigation. Rao reminded the bench that previously, the Supreme Court had reprimanded the Chief Minister for making premature statements even when the matter was under investigation.

Solicitor General of India Tushar Mehta informed the bench that the SIT has completed its investigation and has filed its final report. The SG added that as per the CBI manual, if during the investigation, administrative lapses are found which are not connected with the criminal matter, then they must be intimated to the State Government. The SIT found some administrative lapses, and the State's committee is looking into that, he added.

Senior Advocate Siddharth Luthra, for the State, submitted that the petitioner has approached the Court with "mala fides", and was seeking to "derail the departmental action."

Senior Advocate Mukul Rohatgi, for Naidu, submitted that it was only a departmental inquiry.

Rao said that despite the previous warning of the Court against making public comments, the same comments were being reiterated even after the investigation was over. "If the Chief Minister of the State is using the public platform to make such public statements, then there is a problem," he said.

Taking note of the fact that the SIT investigation has been completed, the bench observed that the State's administrative inquiry will not cause any overlapping effect.

"Such an administrative enquiry cannot be called as overlapping with the criminal proceedings which culminated in the filing of the chargesheet and supplementary chargesheet. There is no conflict of interest or overlapping and the scope of investigation/enquiry, having been well demarcated, we are satisfied that the apprehension expressed by the petitioner does not have a sufficient foundation," the bench observed.

The bench added that both processes must continue strictly in accordance with the law.

In 2024, the Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, Chandrababu Naidu, kicked up a controversy by claiming that the ghee used in making Tirupati Laddu during the previous YSRCP government's regime was adulterated with animal fat. 

In October 2024, the Supreme Court had directed the constitution of a Special Investigation Team to investigate the allegations. During the hearing, the Court had criticised CM Naidu's remarks, saying that the lab report did not prima facie indicate any animla fat presence.

As per reports, the SIT submitted its final report in January, ruling out the presence of animal fat, but finding various other irregularities in the procurement process, which led to the supply of fake ghee.

Recently, the Government appointed a one-man committee, led by retired IAS officer Dinesh Kumar, to examine the CBI-led SIT's Self-Contained Note and to recommend suitable action against erring people. 

Case  Subramanian Swamy v. State of Andhra Pradesh | WP(c) 234/2026