Tirupati laddu row: SIT investigation suspended until October 3 amid SC hearing

The Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the Tirupati Laddu prasadam case has paused its investigation until October 3, following a Supreme Court hearing. Andhra Pradesh DGP, Dwaraka Tirumala Rao, confirmed the suspension as a precautionary measure to safeguard the investigation's integrity.

The Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the Tirupati Laddu prasadam case has temporarily suspended its investigation until October 3, as per instructions from the Andhra Pradesh Director General of Police (DGP), Dwaraka Tirumala Rao. This decision is in response to the ongoing hearing in the Supreme Court.

Over the last two days, the SIT has probed the procurement and sampling processes, trying to understand how it is possible to adulterate the laddus, said Rao.

"First they (SIT) have to understand the process, study it and take all the information, but in the meantime, an order has come from the Supreme Court and in line with that, we have stopped it (probe)," the DGP said while speaking to reporters.

When the case is being examined under the purview of the apex court, it is not appropriate to talk more, he said, hinting at the next hearing of the case in the Supreme Court on October 3.

The top court was hearing a batch of pleas, including those seeking a court-monitored probe into the alleged use of animal fat in making Tirupati laddus.