Tirupati laddu case: SC has pointed out Andhra CM Naidu’s ‘true picture’, says Jagan Mohan Reddy | India News – Times of India

NEW DELHI: YSRCP chief Jagan Mohan Reddy on Friday hits back at Andhra Pradesh chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu after the Supreme Court formed a 5-member “independent” SIT to investigate the allegations of using animal fat in making Tirupati laddus .
Reddy said that SC has pointed out Andhra CM Naidu‘s ‘true picture’ and the sanctity of TTD and prasadam was damaged by Naidu’s comments.
“The Supreme Court highlighted the comments made by CM Chandrababu Naidu, stating that they hurt the sentiments of Hindus and warned against using religious matters for political drama. The SIT was also halted which was formed by CM. The sanctity of TTD and prasadam was damaged by Chandrababu Naidu’s false comments. Even the courts questioned CM Chandrababu Naidu for making allegations on TTD,” former Andhra Pradesh CM said.
“Even after the court order, he (CM Naidu) should feel ashamed for spreading false news… He is spreading blatant lies. I don’t understand why he is posting on social media that the Supreme Court expressed anger toward YSRCP. The tankers were sent back 14 times during their regime (2014 to 2019). A robust system has been implemented in TTD for manufacturing prasadam. Tankers are not allowed to enter for utilization without passing quality checks. Three tests are to be conducted before the product is used. If a tanker fails to qualify in even a single test, it will be sent back without being used,” Reddy added.
Earlier, the apex court in a stern remark said that it can not be used as a “political battleground” while replacing the state govt SIT formed on September 26 with the court-appointed panel to investigate the sensitive issue.
The independent SIT will be composed of two officials each from the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the Andhra Pradesh Police, as well as a senior official from the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI). The bench, consisting of Justices B R Gavai and K V Viswanathan, directed that the investigation should be conducted under the supervision of the CBI Director.
The bench, during the hearing, said that they do not want this matter to be turned into a political drama, acknowledging the sentiments of millions of people worldwide.
The controversy arose earlier this month when Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu claimed that animal fat was used in making Tirupati laddus during the previous Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy-led government in the state.
However, the YSR Congress Party accused Naidu of making “heinous allegations” for political gains, while the ruling Telugu Desam Party circulated a laboratory report to support its claim.
The apex court had earlier questioned Chief Minister Naidu’s public statement regarding the alleged use of animal fat in making Tirupati laddus under the previous Reddy-led regime.
The court observed that the laboratory test report was unclear and prima facie indicated that “rejected ghee” was tested.
The bench noted that the Chief Minister’s statement was made on September 18, even before the FIR was lodged on September 25 and the SIT was constituted on September 26. The court expressed its prima facie view that it was inappropriate for a high constitutional functionary to make a public statement that could affect the sentiments of millions of people while an investigation was underway.