Tirupati Laddu Ghee Adulteration: Andhra CM Blames YSRCP, SIT Reveals Systemic Fraud

The revered Tirupati Laddu, a sacred offering at the famous Tirumala Venkateswara Temple in Andhra Pradesh, has become the center of a significant political and public controversy following allegations of widespread ghee adulteration. Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu recently ignited a fresh wave of accusations, claiming that during the previous YSRCP government's tenure, ghee adulterated with "chemicals used for cleaning bathrooms" was used in the preparation of these sacred sweets. He made these explosive remarks during public meetings in Kalugotla village, Kurnool district, and Yemmiganur, asserting that the prior administration attempted to compromise the sanctity and prestige of Lord Venkateswara Swamy by using adulterated 'prasadam'. Naidu's statements came in the wake of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) probe into the alleged irregularities in the procurement of ghee for the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD). This SIT, constituted under the direction of the Supreme Court and led by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), filed its supplementary charge sheet (No. 01/2025), shedding light on a systemic and long-running fraud. Contrary to some initial political claims, the final SIT report clarified that no animal fat, such as beef tallow or lard, was found in the adulterated ghee supplied between 2019 and 2024. Instead, the report detailed that the "ghee" was a concoction of various vegetable oils, including refined palm oil, palm kernel oil, and palmolein, mixed with chemical additives like beta-carotene, acetic acid ester, lactic acid, and monoglycerides. These chemicals were deliberately used to mimic the natural aroma, color, and chemical properties of pure ghee, effectively deceiving laboratory tests and inspectors. The SIT's findings revealed that this elaborate adulteration scheme predates the YSRCP government's relaxation of procurement norms in February 2020. The investigation pinpointed February 2019, during the tenure of the previous administration (then led by the TDP), as the genesis of the adulteration timeline. However, the scale and sophistication of the fraud significantly expanded between 2020 and 2024, a period largely under the YSRCP government. The SIT uncovered a "cartel" involving shell companies, complicit TTD officials, and a bribery network that facilitated the supply of these adulterated mixtures. Approximately 68 lakh kilograms (around 5,971 tonnes) of fake ghee, valued at an estimated Rs 250 crore, were supplied to TTD between 2021 and 2024. The charge sheet named 36 individuals, including nine TTD officials, five dairy experts, and several suppliers, as accused in the scam. Uttarakhand-based Bhole Baba Dairy was identified as a key supplier, along with other proxy dairies. The investigation highlighted how tender conditions were relaxed "hurriedly" and "unjustifiably" in 2020, without due diligence, allowing ineligible companies to participate in the bidding process. This included reducing the minimum turnover requirement for suppliers and relaxing mandatory dairy experience, paving the way for substandard supplies. Warnings from institutions like the Central Food Technological Research Institute (CFTRI) in 2022 regarding adulteration were allegedly ignored by senior officials. The current Chief Minister, Chandrababu Naidu, has been vocal in his criticism of the YSRCP government, alleging their role in the "sin" of adulterating the sacred 'prasadam'. He emphasized that while he initially stated animal fat was found based on a July 2024 NDDB-CALF report, the SIT report confirms adulteration with palmolein oil and chemicals. The YSRCP, on the other hand, has used the SIT's finding of "no animal fat" to claim a "clean chit" and demand apologies from Naidu, asserting that the allegations of animal fat had "politically manufactured falsehood" and harmed the faith of millions. The TDP, however, maintains that the NDDB-CALF report, which indicated animal fat and vegetable oil, was explicitly cited in the CBI's supplementary chargesheet, documenting "systemic corruption" and "deliberate compromise of quality controls". In response to the SIT report, the Andhra Pradesh Cabinet has taken decisive action, forming a one-man administrative committee. This committee's mandate is to comprehensively review the SIT report, identify any lapses in the investigation, pinpoint the masterminds behind the scam, fix responsibility on officials, and recommend further administrative and legal actions. Chief Minister Naidu has stressed the government's commitment to restoring transparency and sanctity in the TTD administration and promised stringent action against all those responsible for compromising the religious sentiments of devotees worldwide. The controversy underscores the significant public and political implications of matters concerning religious institutions and public trust in India. The Deccan Herald headline is partially accurate in that it reflects the CM's strong accusation and his political stance against the YSRCP government. However, the phrase "bathroom-cleaning chemicals" is a rhetorical exaggeration by the CM, as the SIT report detailed specific food-grade or industrial chemicals used for mimicry, not explicitly substances used for bathroom cleaning. Furthermore, while earlier reports cited by Naidu suggested animal fats, the final SIT report ruled out animal fat, confirming synthetic ghee made from vegetable oils and other chemicals. This nuance is critical for accurate reporting.

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