Tirupati Temple Laddu Scam: Prasad made with 68 lakh kg of fake ghee, what is the Rs 250 crore scam?

The former head of the temple board has been questioned in connection with the alleged adulteration of ghee used in the laddu prasadam offered at the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam in Andhra Pradesh. The investigating agency on Tuesday questioned A.V. Dharma Reddy, the former head of the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam (TTD), in connection with the alleged adulteration of Tirumala ghee.

During the investigation, a team constituted by the Supreme Court found that adulterated ghee was allegedly used in the preparation of the sacred Tirupati laddu prasadam at the Sri Venkateswara Swamy Temple in Tirumala, Andhra Pradesh. A.V. Dharma Reddy, the former head of the Tirupati temple, who served as the Executive Officer (EO) of the TTD, appeared before the SIT office in Tirupati for a detailed investigation into the matter.

6.8 million kilograms of fake ghee

According to the investigating agency, the TTD received an estimated 6.8 million kilograms of fake ghee worth approximately ₹250 crore over a five-year period from 2019 to 2024. A detailed investigation, detailed in the remand report submitted to the Nanellore ACB court, revealed that the primary supplier—a dairy based in Uttarakhand—had managed to deliver such a large quantity of ghee without purchasing a single drop of milk or butter.

The "ghee" was allegedly synthesized using industrial chemicals such as palm oil, palm kernel oil, and acetic acid esters to manipulate purity tests (Reichert-Meissler values) and evade TTD quality inspections.

Massive Adulteration

It is noteworthy that large-scale adulteration occurred during the tenure of former TTD CEO A.V. Dharma Reddy. The investigation has taken a new turn following the recent arrest of Chinna Appanna, a close associate and former personal assistant of former TTD Chairman Y.V. Subba Reddy. Appanna is allegedly accused of playing a key role in awarding contracts to ineligible dairies and manipulating tender processes. Former CEO A.V. Dharma Reddy is now being interrogated.

SIT may issue a notice

The SIT may also issue a notice to former TTD Chairman YV Subba Reddy for questioning in the case. The agency aims to uncover the entire chain of command responsible for the procurement and quality control lapses that allegedly compromised the sanctity of the widely revered prasadam.