The Supreme Court on Thursday refused to transfer the trial in the Tirupati “laddu” adulteration case outside Andhra Pradesh observing that the courts are immune from political statements made in the case.
the top court had said that the sentiments of crores of devotees were involved, and hence an independent team should replace the SIT formed by the Andhra Pradesh government While directing the SIT to take over the investigation from the state police to probe allegations of animal fat in Tirupati temple laddus. The YSR Congress Party accused Naidu of indulging in “heinous allegations” for political gains while the ruling Telugu Desam Party in the state has circulated a laboratory report to back its claim.
Andhra Pradesh chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu had claimed earlier that animal fat was used in preparing Tirupati laddus during the previous Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy-led regime in the state, triggering a massive political row.
The court passed the order while hearing a transfer petition filed by one of the accused Machindra Shantaram, a Maharashtra-based dairy industry businessman and the Managing Director of Malganga Milk and Agro Products Pvt Ltd. “The trial is taking place in a politically surcharged atmosphere, it will prejudice my trial. Nobody can be immune from such statements made by the chief minister and deputy chief minister in the state. Most of the accused are from North India. There is also a language barrier. Courts are immune from such statements which are made. This is why we constituted the SIT. We have already silenced everyone.”
Shantaram, who was represented by senior advocate Siddharth Dave, alleged that continuous statements made by the chief minister and the deputy chief minister have created a “politically surcharged atmosphere”. I am the only person who will suffer,” Dave said, adding that even though the forensic report had ruled out the presence of animal fat in the ghee, political leaders continued to make such statements. Citing a “language barrier”, he said: “Please transfer the case to the adjoining state, for free and fair trial. Refusing the prayer to transfer the trial to a neighbouring state, the bench of Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant and justice Joymalya Bagchi said, “Let the trial proceed. The CJI said, “Let them continue to make statements.
