Supreme Court declines to transfer trial in Tirupati laddu adulteration case out of Andhra Pradesh

The Supreme Court on Thursday rejected a petition seeking directions to transfer the trial in Tirupati laddu adulteration case out of Andhra Pradesh [Machindra Shantaram Lanke vs. State of Andhra Pradesh].

A bench of Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi said that no case was made out for transfer of trial to a neighbouring State.

"No case made out to transfer trial. Dismissed," the Court ordered.

Senior Advocate Siddhartha Dave, appearing for petitioner Machindra Shantaram Lanke, said that the Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister are continuously making political statements over the issue.

"Continuously political statements are being made by the Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister. Prosecution has to be fair," Dave said.

However, the bench said that it had earlier passed orders in this regard.

"We have silenced them all with our order. If something happens, you can come to us," CJI Kant remarked.

"The trial can be shifted to some other neighbouring State where there is not such an emotive issue," Dave requested.

However, the Court declined to entertain the plea.

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