The six-member team of Special Investigation Team (SIT) reached Lord Sri Venkateswara temple in Andhra Pradesh’s Tirupati to inspect the temple kitchen. The SIT team, investigating the Tirumala ‘Laddu’ controversy, carried out inspections in various sections of the temple. The investigation team also checked the temple kitchen where the sacred Tirumala Srivari Laddu Prasadam is made.

They reviewed the laboratory where quality tests for ‘Laddus’ are conducted while checking the related records. The SIT team carried out inspections in the flour mill as well.

SIT Begins Probe

Over three weeks ago, an SIT team visited Tirupati to investigate the adulteration of ‘ghee’ used in the sacred food offering (prasad). The team conducted a detailed investigation in Tirupati and Tirumala, aiming to gather complete information regarding the adulteration case.

The row over the Tirupati Prasadam (laddus) began after Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu claimed that substandard ingredients, including animal fat, were used in the preparation of Tirupati laddus, the Prasdam offered at the Sri Venkateswara temple in Tirupati, during the previous YSRCP government.

Later, the Supreme Court ordered a CBI-led investigation into the Laddu prasadam issue. The team will include officials from the state police and the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI).

Earlier, the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) Trust Board passed a resolution prohibiting political statements within Tirumala, stating that legal action will be taken against violators as well as those who propagate them.