Tirupati Laddu Scandal: Rs 50 Lakh Money Trail Uncovered in Temple Ghee Adulteration Investigation

New Delhi: Investigators have uncovered a Rs 50 lakh money trail linked to the adulterated ghee scandal at the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam, where tainted ghee was used in preparing the sacred Srivari laddu offered to millions of devotees visiting the renowned temple annually.

According to sources, K Chinnappanna, personal assistant to YSR Congress Party MP YV Subba Reddy (former TTD Chairman), allegedly received cash payments from hawala operators connected to Uttar Pradesh-based Premier Agri Foods Pvt Ltd.

The transactions reportedly involved Rs 20 lakh from Delhi-based agent Aman Gupta, with the remaining amount coming from Premier Agri Foods senior executive Vijay Gupta. Sources indicate both exchanges occurred near Delhi's Patel Nagar Metro Station.

Last year, a significant controversy erupted over allegations that the world-famous Tirupati laddus contained 'impure' ghee manufactured using animal fats. The scandal quickly escalated into legal, political, and cultural domains.

The Supreme Court eventually intervened, cautioning against mixing politics with religion while dismissing politicians' public expressions of 'anguish' – notably referencing Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu's statements. The court ordered a comprehensive joint investigation involving CBI officers, state police, and food safety officials.

The investigation report revealed numerous instances where four dairy suppliers manipulated documentation and pricing to secure contracts. Findings showed that 60.37 lakh kg of adulterated ghee containing foreign substances, valued at Rs 240.8 crore, was supplied to the TTD.

Specifically, Bhole Baba Organic Dairy Milk Pvt Ltd allegedly produced adulterated ghee at their Roorke facility by mixing palm oils and chemicals. This tainted product reached the temple through three additional suppliers: Sri Vyshnavi Dairy Specialities (Rs 133.12 crore worth of compromised ghee), Malganga Milk & Agro Products (Rs 73.18 crore), and AR Dairy Foods (Rs 1.61 crore).

Despite a 2022 report from the Mysuru-based Central Food Technological Research Institute confirming adulteration, supply continued until 2024, raising serious concerns about potential official negligence or complicity.

Chandrababu Naidu publicly alleged that during the previous YSCRP administration under Jagan Mohan Reddy, ghee adulterated with animal fat was used in laddu preparation.

The controversy initially emerged when the Andhra Pradesh government cited a Gujarat laboratory report indicating that ghee samples from AR Dairy in Tamil Nadu's Dindigul contained traces of fish oil, beef tallow, and lard (animal fat). The laboratory report included a disclaimer about possible "false positives."

The Tirupati temple kitchen produces approximately three lakh laddoos daily, utilizing around 1,500 kg of ghee along with substantial quantities of cashew nuts, raisins, cardamoms, gram flour, and sugar.