New Delhi, Nov. 6 -- The Supreme Court on Thursday refused to transfer the trial in the Tirupati "laddu" adulteration case outside Andhra Pradesh observing that the courts are immune from political statements made in the case. The court passed the order while hearing a transfer petition filed by one of the accused Machindra Shantaram, a Maharashtra-based dairy industry businessman and the Managing Director of Malganga Milk and Agro Products Pvt Ltd. Shantaram, who was represented by senior advocate Siddharth Dave, alleged that continuous statements made by the chief minister and the deputy chief minister have created a "politically surcharged atmosphere". "The trial is taking place in a politically surcharged atmosphere, it will prejudice my trial. Nobody can be immune from such statements made by the chief minister and deputy chief minister in the state. I am the only person who will suffer," Dave said, adding that even though the forensic report had ruled out the presence of animal fat in the ghee, political leaders continued to make such statements. Citing a "language barrier", he said: "Please transfer the case to the adjoining state, for free and fair trial. Most of the accused are from North India. There is also a language barrier." Refusing the prayer to transfer the trial to a neighbouring state, the bench of Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant and justice Joymalya Bagchi said, "Let the trial proceed. Courts are immune from such statements which are made." The court added, "Witnesses are from the local area. Allowing your prayer will frustrate the trial," as it dismissed the petition by stating, "No case for shifting of the trial is made out at this stage."...