India, Sept. 26 -- The Supreme Court on Friday put on hold an order of the Andhra Pradesh High Court that had faulted the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) director for permitting an officer, not formally part of a court-constituted special investigation team (SIT), to participate in the probe into allegations of adulterated ghee used in the preparation of the famed Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam (TTD) laddu prasadam.

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...