An investigation must be conducted in accordance with Supreme Court directives, ensuring independence and integrity, without interference from unauthorized personnel.

ORDER :

HARINATH.N, J.

1. The petitioner is seeking a direction for free and fair investigation by the SIT constituted as per the directions of the Hon’ble Supreme Court in WP.(C).No. 622 of 2024, dated 04.10.2024. A further declaration that the manner and conduct of the SIT officials is to be declared as illegal, arbitrary, without jurisdiction and contrary to the orders of the Hon’ble Supreme Court.

2. Sri.C.Nageswara Rao, learned senior counsel appearing for the petitioner submits that on 31.05.2025, the petitioner received a notice from the respondent No.10 requiring the petitioner to appear on 02.06.2025. The petitioner was subsequently recalled under a fresh a notice dated 02.06.2025 was issued calling upon the petitioner to appear on 03.06.2025. It is submitted that the petitioner was compelled, forced and intimidated to record various scripted false statements before the SIT and the proceedings were recorded by a Video Camera. It is submitted that, the petitioner was forced to give statements to the dictates of the 10^th respondent. It is submitted that, the petitioner statements were re-recorded 7 to 8 times and the earlier recorded statements were deleted after recording the freshstatement. It is submitted that the entire process was carried out in presence of nine police officers who included two Deputy Superintendent of Police, Two Circle Inspectors, Sub-Inspectors, one CBI Officer and others.

3. The State Government had constituted a SIT for conducting investigation in Crime No.470 of 2024. Writ Petition (Civil).No.622 of 2024 was filed before the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India and on 30.09.2024 the Hon’ble Supreme Court had passed an order duly considering that the Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh had gone in public making a statement on 18.09.2024 that Ghee containing animal fat was being used to make Prasadam Laddus at Tirupati Tirumala under previous regime. It was also observed that some press reports reported that the Executive Officer of Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam made a contrary statement that adulterated Ghee was never used.

4. The Hon’ble Supreme Court came to a prima facie view that it was not appropriate on part of the High Constitutional Functionary to go in public to make a statement which can affect the sentiment of crores of people and when investigation to find out adulterated Ghee was used to make Laddus was under way. Accordingly, the learned Solicitor General was requested to assist the Court in the matter whether the SIT appointed by the State Government should continue or the investigation should be conducted by an independent agency and the matter was posted to 03.10.2024. On 03.10.2024 the matter was directed to be listed on 04.10.2024.

5. The learned senior counsel submits that the Hon’ble Supreme Court disposed off the writ petition on 04.10.2024 by issuing the following directions in para 11 is as follows ;

11. We, therefore, dispose of these petitions with the following directions ;

i. Two officers from the CBI, to be nominated by the Director, CBI.

ii. Two officers from the Andhra Pradesh Police, to be nominated by the Government of Andhra Pradesh.

iii. One senior officer of the FSAAI, to be nominated by the Chairperson of the FSAAI.

6. In pursuance of the orders of the Hon’ble Supreme Court the Central Bureau of Investigation vide order dated 18.10.2024, the following persons were named as members of the SIT

i. Shri S.Veeresh