- TTD Ghee Adulteration: Systemic Failures in Tirumala Laddu Preparation
- Irregularities in both YCP and TDP Governments
- Central Government Food Laboratories Failed to Detect Adulteration earlier
- It passes as ghee based on tests and taste, but it is not natural.
- Ghee made in laboratories supplied to TTD
- What about the sentiments of Hindu devotees on the issue?
- Who will be held the responsibility?
A major scandal has erupted at the heart of the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD), one of the world’s most-visited religious sites, as a Special Investigation Team (SIT) exposed a massive, years-long operation to adulterate the ghee used in preparing the sacred Tirupati Laddu prasadam.
The findings have deeply hurt the sentiments of the 30 to 40 million devotees who visit the Sri Venkateswara Swamy temple annually, regarding the consumption of the Laddu, traditionally made with cow ghee, as a sacred act. The inability of central government, TTD, and neutral food laboratories to detect this widespread fraud has raised serious questions about systemic failures in oversight.
The Scale of Adulteration and Deception
The SIT’s investigation, which presented its findings in a remand report to a Nellore court, revealed the involvement of an Uttarakhand-based company, Bhole Baba Dairy.
Adulterants: The SIT found that the ghee supplied was a mix of palm oil, palm kernel oil, palmolein, and various chemicals including beta carotene, acetic acid ester, and ghee flavour.
Deceptive Practices: Crucially, the company manufactured the adulterated product in a way specifically designed to “Adjust” lab test values and “maintain aroma” to evade detection by quality control systems.
Massive Contract: Between 2019 and 2024, Bhole Baba Dairy supplied nearly 60 lakh kg of this adulterated ghee to the TTD, worth approximately Rs 240 crore. The SIT submitted the report during the custody proceedings of Chinna Chinnappa, the PA to the TTD former chairman, Subba Reddy.
Network of Proxy Suppliers and Arrests
The investigation uncovered a complex network used to facilitate the deception:
Arrests: In February 2025, the SIT arrested Pomil Jain and Vipin Jain, two former directors of Bhole Baba Dairy. It was alleged that the company created fake records to claim sourcing the required quantity of ghee, despite the fact that their plant lacked the necessary capacity.
Proxy Operations: Bhole Baba Dairy allegedly used several proxy suppliers based in Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Tamil Nadu to channel the adulterated ghee to the TTD.
Chemical Supply Chain: The accused were found to have supplied chemicals like monoglycerides and acetic acid ester to Bhole Baba Organic Dairy specifically for the purpose of adulteration. The company imported palm oil from Malaysia for make adulterated Ghee.
Political Fallout and Further Revelations
The issue exploded into a major political controversy in 2024 after the new ruling coalition the Telugu Desam Party (TDP), Jana Sena and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) came to power in Andhra Pradesh.
New Allegations: Following the detection of adulteration in four samples, ruling coalition leaders, including Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu and Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan, alleged that the ghee was adulterated with substances like beef tallow.
Rejected Ghee Rerouted In TDP regime
In July 2024, the TTD rejected four containers of ghee from Dindigul-based AR Dairy due to the presence of potential animal fat adulterants. Disturbingly, the investigation reportedly found that this rejected consignment was later supplied back to the TTD via another proxy, Vyshnavi Dairy, located near Tirupati.
Continued Failure: The NDA government in Andhra Pradesh subsequently cancelled Bhole Baba Dairy’s contract and awarded it to Vaishnavi Dairy. However, the article highlights that Vaishnavi Dairy is also allegedly a proxy unit of Bhole Baba, indicating the possibility of the adulteration continuing under a different name. The episode has not only exposed a criminal supply chain but also highlighted the systemic failure of oversight, leaving devotees with unanswered questions about the sanctity and quality of their sacred prasadam.
No news in regional media on SIT report
The SIT report was not seen in any vernacular press in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana states even the SIT report exposed six days back. Even, national English dailies had covered the news in Delhi and not its editions in Telugu States. It is known fact that the media in two Telugu states divided on party lines.
Editor, Prime Post
Ravindra Seshu Amaravadi, is a senior journalist with 38 years of experience in Telugu, English news papers and electronic media. He worked in Udayam as a sub-editor and reporter. Later, he was associated with Andhra Pradesh Times, Gemini news, Deccan Chronicle, HMTV and The Hans India. Earlier, he was involved in the research work of All India Kisan Sabha on suicides of cotton farmers. In Deccan Chronicle, he exposed the problems of subabul and chilli farmers and malpractices that took place in various government departments.
I am astonished to learn that adulteration is taking part in making precious Tirupati Laddu. Before this also there was same complaint in YCP Government. It was probed by same SIT. But it was said that no adulteration has been taken part in preparing Tirupati Laddu. Hurting devotees sentiments if it is true. Stringent action should be taken in this regard.
Your article Sacred Trust Betrayed is exposed stunning alleged information, which is to be thoroughly proved,and guilty should be punnished according to the Law of Land to keep up the Sanctity of TTD,and Kaliyuga Divam Lord Venkateswara and crores of Devotees Sentiments, OmnamoVenkateshaya 🙏
Congrats on shouldering the stewardship of prime post. Indeed, and explosive beginning ignited by scandalous ghee
Thank you sir
Thank you sir. I too stunned after noticing the contenrs in the report.
Corruption and a strong intention to commit sacrilege can do immense damage especially at such holy places like Tirumala. Orthodox work methods and Brahmanism is scorned and insulted by other fellow citizens.
Rama was asked to kill such Rakshasas by Viswamitra. Do we the staunch devotees have such options to destroy and root out the demons, especially those who are in power
Thank you for your response sir
My suggestion is not to dwell upon adulteration of Ghee, in current mkt Rs.4000 per Kg is price of pure Cow Ghee, what you get is adulterated at Rs.400 per kg
When TTD turns to buy pure Ghee, due to demand & supply gap price will increase further.
My suggestion is to use pure ghee and increase the price or decrease the size. And pilgrim’s who visit Tirumala won’t mind spending for Laddu made out of Pure Cow Ghee. Thus we can protect Sanatani vision which is getting marketed.