Tirupati Laddu Row : Plea In Supreme Court Seeks Appointment Of Retired Judge To Oversee Temples' Management, Independent Probe

In the wake of the controversy regarding the alleged use of adulterated ghee in preparing the laddus at the Tirumala Tirupati Temple, a petition has been filed in the Supreme Court seeking an investigation by a committee headed by a retired Supreme Court judge or a retired High Court Chief Justice into the matter.

The petition has been filed following allegations that animal fat was used instead of ghee to prepare the laddus which are offered as prasadam at the iconic temple. The petitioner, Suresh Khanderao Chavhanke, Editor of Sudarshan News TV,  argued that the use of non-vegetarian ingredients in the prasadam violated the fundamental rights of devotees under Articles 25 and 26 of the Constitution, which guarantee freedom of religion and the right of religious denominations to manage their own affairs in matters of religion.

The petitioner submitted that the matter is of utmost importance to millions of devotees and required immediate attention from the highest court of the land to protect the sanctity of religious practices and restore faith in the temple administration.

The petitioner also sought an independent investigation by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) or another independent central agency to investigate potential criminal conspiracy or corruption related to this incident.

Further, the petitioner sought the appointment of a retired Supreme Court Judge or High Court Chief Justice to oversee the management of temples and shrines to ensure transparency and adherence to religious customs.

The petition was filed through his Advocates Satyam Singh Rajput, Advocate Rajeev Ranjan, and AOR Nikhil Beniwal.

Case : SURESH KHANDERAO CHAVHANKE Vs. THE TIRUMALA TIRUPATI DEVASTHANAM TRUST AND OTHER