SC Stays High Court Ruling Against CBI Director in Temple Prasadam Case
The Supreme Court on Friday (September 26) stayed the Andhra Pradesh High Court’s order against the CBI Director in the Tirupati Laddu adulteration case. The High Court had earlier observed that the CBI Director violated Apex Court’s directions by appointing an officer outside the Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe allegations of adulterated ghee used in the Tirumala Tirupati Temple’s prasadam.
A Bench led by Chief Justice of India BR Gavai, along with Justices K Vinod Chandran and NV Anjaria, clarified that there was no illegality in the SIT delegating work to another officer when the investigation was under the overall supervision of the CBI Director.
CJI Gavai questioned: “If the SIT wants to appoint a particular officer, what is wrong with that?” He added that the SIT had not abdicated its role but only allowed an officer to work under its supervision.
The respondent’s counsel argued that the Apex Court had specifically ordered that the SIT must include two CBI officers, two State Police officers, and one FSSAI officer — no one else. They alleged that the appointed officer, J Venkat Rao, was not part of this composition and was coercing the respondent into making false confessions.
The Solicitor General, Tushar Mehta, defended the appointment, stating that the officer was merely a “record keeper” and permitted by the CBI Director to continue. He reminded the Court that the Apex Court had earlier clarified it was not casting doubts on members of the previous SIT formed by the State.
The case relates to a plea filed by Kaduru Chinnappanna, who alleged that he was harassed and intimidated by the officer through repeated notices and forced to make scripted statements. The Andhra Pradesh High Court had ruled that since Rao was not named in the Supreme Court’s SIT order, he could not be part of the investigation.
In 2024, the Supreme Court had set up the SIT to ensure an independent probe into the allegations, specifying its composition with officers from CBI, Andhra Pradesh Police, and FSSAI.
The top court has now asked the respondent to file a counter to the CBI’s plea. The matter will be heard further.
Case Title: The Director, Central Bureau of Investigation and Ors. v. Kaduru Chinnappanna and Ors.
Case Number: SLP (Crl) No. 12653/2025
