The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has arrested four individuals in connection with the adulteration of ghee used in the Tirumala Srivari Laddu, a sacred offering at the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD), according to sources from the Telugu Desam Party (TDP).
The CBI formed a special investigation team (SIT) to probe the matter, following directives from the Supreme Court. The arrested individuals were associated with organizations supplying ghee to TTD, including AR Dairy (Tamil Nadu), Parag Dairy (Uttar Pradesh), Premier Agri Foods, and Alpha Milk Foods, as per the TDP statement.
Arrested Individuals
Those arrested include:
- Bipin Jain and Pomil Jain, former directors of Bhole Baba Dairy (Roorkee, Uttarakhand)
- Apoorva Vinay Kant Chawda, CEO of Vaishnavi Dairy (Poonambakkam)
- Raju Rajasekharan, MD of AR Dairy (Dundigal)
Investigation and Allegations
According to the TDP, the accused were interrogated for three days in Tirupati but remained uncooperative despite strong evidence against them. Investigators reportedly uncovered shocking allegations that animal carcass residues were found in the adulterated ghee, leading to public outrage among devotees.
CBI-Led Probe and Raids
The CBI Hyderabad Division, under Joint Director Viresh Prabhu, is leading the investigation with support from:
- Visakha CBI SP Muraliramba
- DIG Gopinath Jetty
- IG Sarvashrestha Tripathi
- FSSAI Officer Satyakumar Panda
The probe has involved inspections at multiple locations, including Tirumala, Tirupati, and AR Dairy’s Tamil Nadu facility. AR Dairy, which had a contract with TTD, was found guilty of multiple irregularities, TDP added.
Joint Director Viresh Prabhu has been stationed in Tirupati to oversee the investigation as further inquiries continue.