TIRUPATI: A 15-month investigation into the Tirupati Laddoo controversy has culminated in a massive chargesheet, revealing a conspiracy involving 68 lakh kilograms of adulterated ghee and a financial fraud worth Rs 250 crore. The Special Investigation Team (SIT), comprising officials from the CBI, Andhra Pradesh Police, and FSSAI, submitted its findings to the Nellore ACB court on Friday, naming 36 individuals as accused.
Chemical Adulteration, Not Animal Fat
While initial political allegations suggested the use of beef tallow and pig fat—sparking nationwide outrage in 2024—the SIT’s final report clarifies that no evidence of animal fat was found. Instead, the investigation revealed that the ghee used for the holy prasadam was contaminated with up to 80% chemicals.
Key Accused and the “Unholy Nexus”
The chargesheet names Uttarakhand-based Bhole Baba Dairy as the primary accused. Its directors, Pomil and Vipin Jain, allegedly conspired with TTD procurement staff and external dairy experts to supply substandard ghee.
Among the high-profile names in the chargesheet are:
- RSSVR Subrahmanyam: Former TTD Procurement General Manager.
- Chinna Appanna: Personal assistant to former TTD Chairman and YSRCP MP, YV Subba Reddy.
- Pralaya Kaveri Murali Krishna: The retired TTD GM who was the original complainant in the case.
- Suppliers: CEOs and MDs of Vaishnavi Dairy and AR Dairy.
Scope of the Investigation
The probe, ordered by the Supreme Court in October 2024, spanned 12 states. Investigators meticulously tracked procurement records, financial flows, and lab reports to uncover how the “unholy nexus” bypassed quality checks for over three years. While former TTD Chairman YV Subba Reddy was questioned during the process, he has not been named as an accused in the current chargesheet.
The SIT concluded that the procurement scam wasn’t just a lapse in quality but a deliberate criminal conspiracy to profit by compromising the sanctity of the offerings at the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam.