Supreme Court Stays Andhra HC Order Faulting CBI Officer in Tirupati Laddu Ghee Procurement Case

In a significant development concerning the revered Tirupati Laddu, the Supreme Court has issued a stay on an Andhra Pradesh High Court order. This particular High Court directive had not only faulted a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) officer but also mandated an external investigation into alleged irregularities in the procurement of ghee, a crucial ingredient for the iconic temple delicacy.

A bench comprising Justices Hima Kohli and Ahsanuddin Amanullah granted an interim stay on the High Court's direction, thereby putting a temporary halt to the probe against the specific CBI officer and the broader order for an investigation by an officer outside the Special Investigation Team (SIT).

The Supreme Court's intervention came after an appeal filed by the CBI, which argued that the High Court's order was based on an incorrect premise and could significantly impact the agency's operational integrity and the morale of its officers.

The saga began with a complaint filed by former Telugu Desam Party (TDP) leader Bojjala Sudheer Reddy, who alleged widespread irregularities and corruption in the procurement process of ghee by the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD).

Following this complaint, the Andhra Pradesh High Court took cognizance and initiated proceedings.

During the High Court's review, a CBI officer, DSP K Shyam Sunder, came under scrutiny. The High Court's primary concern stemmed from the perception that the CBI officer was effectively investigating his own colleague within the agency, creating a potential conflict of interest.

The High Court, therefore, deemed it necessary to appoint an independent officer, outside the existing SIT, to thoroughly investigate the matter, ensuring impartiality and a fair probe into the allegations surrounding the TTD's ghee procurement.

However, the CBI vehemently countered this argument in the Supreme Court.

Representing the investigative agency, Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati contended that the High Court's understanding was flawed. Bhati clarified that DSP K Shyam Sunder was part of a larger team conducting the inquiry and was not singularly investigating a direct colleague. The CBI emphasized that the High Court's order, if allowed to stand, would set a problematic precedent, undermining the agency's established investigative procedures and potentially hindering future corruption probes.

The Supreme Court's stay order ensures that, for now, the CBI officer remains protected from the High Court's adverse findings and the directive for an external probe is temporarily suspended.

This development places the focus back on the ongoing legal scrutiny over the procurement practices of the TTD and highlights the complex interplay between judicial oversight and investigative agency autonomy in high-profile cases involving public trust and significant institutions.