NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Monday dismissed a writ petition filed by BJP leader Subramanian Swamy challenging Andhra Pradesh’s constitution of a one-man committee to recommend suitable departmental action against erring officials in the case relating to the supply of allegedly adulterated ghee for Tirumala laddus.
A Bench headed by Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant observed that the administrative inquiry ordered by the state government and the top court-directed investigation by the Special Investigation Team (SIT) operate in distinct spheres and can continue simultaneously.
The writ petition alleged that the one-man committee interfered with the SIT investigation earlier ordered by the apex court in relation to allegations of adulteration of ghee used in the preparation of prasadam laddus at the Tirupati temple.
Dismissing the plea, the CJI Kant-led bench observed that the top court’s only concern was to ensure that there was no overlap between the two processes.