The Supreme Court on Monday said that those who hold constitutional office are expected to keep gods away from politics.
The top court made these remarks while hearing a batch of petitions regarding the alleged adulteration of Tirupati temple laddoos.
“When you hold constitutional office, it is expected that you would…we expect Gods to be kept away from polity,” Justice BR Gavai said while the responding to senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi, who appeared for the Andhra Pradesh government.
The court also asked Rohatgi, “You ordered an SIT. Till the outcome, what is the necessity to go to the press? You have been always appearing for such…this is the second time”.
Rohatigi, on behalf of the Chandrababdu Naidu government, argued that these “are not bonafide petitions. Attempt to attack the current government by the previous regime. TTD issued a show cause notice to their man what kind of supplies…”
When Justice Gavai asked if the ghee, which was found not in conformity, was used for prasadam, advocate Siddharth Luthra informed the bench, “We are investigating”.
Justice Gavai then asked, “Then what was the need to go to the press immediately? You need to respect religious sentiments”.
When Luthra told the court that people had complained the laddoo did not taste right, the court asked, “The laddoo, which tasted different, was that sent to the lab to find out if it contained contaminated material?”
Justice Viswanathan then asked, “Doesn’t prudence dictate that you take a second opinion? In normal situations, we seek a second opinion. There’s no proof that the said ghee was used”.