What was the proof to show that contaminated ghee was used in preparation of laddoos,” SC asked Solicitor General Tushar Mehta.

Naidu made public lab reports that alleged the laddus offered to the deity before being distributed daily among Tirupati temple devotees were contaminated with animal and vegetable fat.

The Supreme Court said prima facie, there is nothing to show at this stage that the ghee used in the sample was used for laddus. The next hearing is on October 3.

The Supreme Court on Monday (30 September) heard a bunch of petitions seeking an independent or court-monitored investigation into allegations of adulteration of Tirupati laddus and sought Solicitor General (SG) Tushar Mehta's advice.

In a significant observation, the Supreme Court emphasized that "Gods should be kept away from politics" while hearing petitions over allegations that animal fat was found in the ghee used to

A bench of Justices B.R. Gavai and K.V. Viswanathan questioned the necessity of making a public statement when an investigation into the matter had already been ordered.

The Supreme Court heard petitions alleging animal fat in Tirupati laddus. Justices emphasised separating religion from politics, questioning the CM`s media statement.

"It is matter of faith. If contaminated ghee was used, its unacceptable," the Solicitor General Tushar Mehta told a bench of Justices BR Gavai and KV Viswanathan.

The Supreme Court on Monday questioned the Andhra Pradesh government over the Tirupati Prasadam row, saying what was the need to go to the press when it wasn't clear that adulterated ghee was used for the preparation of the laddus.