The Supreme Court on Monday (30 September) heard a bunch of petitions seeking an independent or court-monitored investigation into allegations of adulteration of Tirupati laddus and sought Solicitor General (SG) Tushar Mehta's advice.

The Supreme Court queried Andhra Pradesh CM N Chandrababu Naidu on public remarks about adulterated ghee used for laddus at Tirumala Temple. Justices BR Gavai and KV Viswanathan highlighted the lack of conclusive proof and asked for Solicitor General's assistance on whether an independent investigation is needed.

The Supreme Court said prima facie, there is nothing to show at this stage that the ghee used in the sample was used for laddus. The next hearing is on October 3.

Justice K V Viswanathan asserted that the report alleging the presence of 'beef tallow, fish oil and lard (pig fat)' is not at all clear and pointed towards the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) Board's claim that this ghee was never used for the laddus.

The Supreme Court addressed the Tirupati Laddu controversy, emphasizing that religious matters should remain separate from politics. During the hearing, the court pointed out that lab reports revealed the ghee tested was rejected.

Supreme Court said it will consider shifting the probe into claims of usage of animal fat in preparation of laddus at Tirumala Temple to an independent agency

"It is matter of faith. If contaminated ghee was used, its unacceptable," the Solicitor General Tushar Mehta told a bench of Justices BR Gavai and KV Viswanathan.