A nine-member special investigation team (SIT) constituted by the Andhra Pradesh government to probe the ongoing Tirupati laddu adulteration controversy began its investigation on Saturday.
The SIT, headed by Guntur Range Inspector General of Police, Sarvashresth Tripathi, comprises DIG of Visakhapatnam range Gopinath Jatti, Kadapa district superintendent of police V Harshavardhan Raju, Additional SP of Tirupati Venkat Rao, DSPs G Sitarama Rao and J Sivanarayana Swamy, inspector of Annamayya district T Satyanarayana, inspectot from NTR police commissionerate K Umamaheswar, and M Suryanarayana, a circle inspector from Kalluru in Chittoor District.
The SIT will also probe the other irregularities that reportedly took place during the previous YSR Congress party's regime in Tirumala.
On Saturday, the SIT authorities landed in Tirumala and held a preliminary meeting with TTD executive officer J Shyamala Rao and other top officials.
They are expected to meet the employees of Srivari Potu (temple kitchen), various devotees and other stakeholders in the next few days.
The SIT officials are expected to conduct a thorough tour of the famed temple town as part of their investigation into the allegations surrounding adulterated ghee used in the production of laddus offered at the Tirumala temple. They will examine the old stocks, if any, of ghee and other ingredients, besides gathering more information and insights regarding the case.
The government order said the SIT may call for relevant information and assistance from any department of the government in the course of the investigation.
All government departments shall cooperate with the SIT in discharge of its duties and duly submit any information or technical assistance called for.
Similarly, the SIT may seek any external expert assistance duly requesting the Director General of Police, the order said.