New Delhi, Sep 23 (UNI): YSR Congress Party MP and former Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam chairperson Y V Subba Reddy on Monday moved the Supreme Court seeking a court-monitored probe into allegations of use of adulterated oil, mixed with animal fat, in the preparation laddu prasadam served at the Tirupati temple in Andhra Pradesh.
The Rajya Sabha MP sought the appointment of a retired Supreme Court judge to conduct an independent inquiry into the adulteration allegations.
A recent forensic lab report revealed that animal fat was found in the samples of ghee used to prepare laddus at the shrine in Andhra Pradesh, where Lord Venkateswara is worshipped.
Reddy’s petition, filed through advocates Baani Khanna and Palak Bishnoi, refuted the charges of any adulteration and said, “Ghee mixed with animal fat? Pig fat is for Rs 1,400/Kg and Ghee is for Rs 390 per Kilo(KG). It is common sense why should we use expensive pig fat when pure ghee is available at Rs 390/kg. It is like adulterating water with milk,” said one of Reddy’s advocates.
Reddy also sought directions to the Central and Andhra Pradesh governments, TTD and Andhra Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu not to “publicize or propagate the said issue as it is affecting sentiments of devotees of Lord Venkateswara at large till the inquiry is completed.”
