Tirupati Laddu Row: A six-member Special Investigation Team (SIT) former to investigate the Tirumala Laddu controversy visited Lord Sri Venkateswara temple and conducted inspections at various sections of the temple on Saturday. The officials also inspected the temple's kitchen.
The SIT inspections are in full swing in Tirumala. The SIT team comprising CBI officers conducted inspections at the Srivari temple. The team is collecting evidence at the laddu potu in Srivari temple, the bundi potu outside the temple, the ghee storage center, and the marketing godown.
They are also collecting details from temple officials on laddu preparation method, ghee consumption, preparation of prasadam, ghee supply and other issues. The SIT team also seized necessary records.
The "laddu row" ignited after Andhra Pradesh CM N Chandrababu Naidu alleged that substandard ingredients, including animal fat, were used in Tirupati laddus during the previous YS Jagan Mohan Reddy-led government. In response, the YSRCP accused Naidu of making baseless allegations for political gain. Naidu announced a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the claims, sparking nationwide concern over the sanctity of Hindu temples and their 'prasadam.' Meanwhile, a four-hour purification ritual was conducted at the Tirumala shrine, and several petitions on the matter reached the Supreme Court.
The Union Health Ministry also issued a show-cause notice to a company which was supplying ghee to Tirumala temple. The ministry received samples from four companies and reportedly one of the company failed the quality test.