SC stays Andhra HC order faulting CBI chief over probe into Tirupati laddu row

A bench headed by chief justice of India Bhushan R Gavai, and also comprising justices K Vinod Chandran and NV Anjaria, passed the interim order while hearing a plea by the CBI director challenging the findings of the high court.

Solicitor general Tushar Mehta, appearing for the central agency, pressed for urgent relief, arguing that the observations of the high court not only undermined the ongoing investigation but also cast unwarranted aspersions on the functioning of the SIT. He added that the officer appointed was only for the purpose of record-keeping while the SIT’s work was underway.

The controversy arises from a recent order of the high court, which had scrutinised the role of J Venkat Rao. Pointing out that Rao was never formally named as one of the SIT members, the high court concluded that he could not assume investigative powers in the matter. It held that the CBI director, by allowing Rao’s involvement, had deviated from the express mandate of the Supreme Court, which had itself crafted the SIT’s composition in 2024.