Tirupati Laddu scam: ₹250 crore scam, 6.8 million kg of prasad made from fake ghee, tradition of purity under scrutiny
The Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam (TTD), one of the country’s most sacred temples, is currently in the grip of a major scam. Investigating agencies have revealed that approximately 6.8 million kilograms of adulterated ghee, worth an estimated ₹250 crore, was used to make laddu prasad between 2019 and 2024.
Tirupati temple laddu scam (File photo)
- Interrogation of former temple head continues.
- Adulterated ghee in laddus revealed.
- Fake ghee scam worth Rs 250 crore.
…The Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam (TTD), one of the country’s most sacred temples, is currently in the grip of a major scam. Investigating agencies have revealed that approximately 6.8 million kilograms of adulterated ghee, worth an estimated ₹250 crore (approximately ₹250 crore), was used in the preparation of laddu prasad between 2019 and 2024.
questioning of the former chief
Former TTD Executive Officer A.V. Dharma Reddy was questioned extensively by the Special Investigation Team (SIT) on Tuesday in connection with the scam. Dharma Reddy was summoned to the SIT office in Tirupati, where he was questioned about the ghee procurement and quality control procedures.
68 lakh kilograms of fake ghee
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 large quantities of ghee without purchasing a single drop of milk or butter. The dairy company had supplied millions of kilograms of ghee to the temple administration over five years.
Investigations revealed that the ghee was actually made by mixing palm oil, palm kernel oil, and industrial chemicals like acetic acid esters. This made it look like real ghee and easily passed quality tests.
Suspicion on former officials
Investigating agencies suspect that this wasn’t the sole malpractice of the supplier company. Reports suggest that this adulteration occurred extensively during the tenure of former CEO A.V. Dharma Reddy. Chinna Appanna, a close associate and personal assistant of former Chairman Y.V. Subba Reddy, who was recently arrested, is accused of playing a key role in awarding contracts to ineligible dairies and manipulating the tender process.
What next? The SIT may issue new notices.
The Special Investigation Team (SIT) is likely to summon former Chairman YV Subba Reddy in this case soon. The investigation team is now investigating who was involved in the procurement process, quality control, and the chain of officials involved in granting approvals. Given the gravity of the matter, the Supreme Court-appointed investigation team is viewing this scam as a betrayal of trust.
The tradition of purity is under question
The Sri Venkateswara Swamy Temple’s laddu prasad is considered a symbol of faith for millions of devotees across the country. The revelation of the use of adulterated ghee has caused deep anger and disappointment among devotees.
