TTD Deputy EO Mendu Lokanatham arrested by Andhra ACB in ghee adulteration probe
Synopsis
The arrest of TTD's own Deputy Executive Officer in the ghee adulteration case marks a significant escalation — from supplier-level suspects to a serving temple official with alleged links to the previous YSRCP government. With ₹5 crore in assets identified and the SIT pushing for full accountability, the probe is now reaching deep inside one of India's most powerful religious institutions.
Key Takeaways
Andhra Pradesh ACB arrested Mendu Lokanatham , Deputy Executive Officer of TTD , on 3 September in connection with the alleged ghee adulteration case.
Raids across four premises in Tirupati district yielded ₹12 lakh cash, 2 kg gold , 6.5 kg silver , and property documents.
The ACB identified assets worth approximately ₹5 crore , which could be higher at market rates.
The SIT probing the ghee adulteration case had recommended establishing the role of TTD officials, leading to Lokanatham's arrest.
Lokanatham reportedly held key positions under the erstwhile YSRCP government; he is expected to be produced before the ACB Court on Thursday.
Andhra Pradesh's Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) on Thursday, 3 September arrested Mendu Lokanatham, Deputy Executive Officer of the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam (TTD), following searches at multiple premises linked to him in Tirupati district. The arrest is part of the ongoing investigation into the alleged adulteration of ghee supplied to the TTD for use in sacred rituals at the Tirumala temple.
Arrest and Searches
The ACB completed simultaneous raids across four premises linked to Lokanatham on Wednesday, before formally arresting him on Thursday after searches at his house, office, and associated locations were concluded. Lokanatham is expected to be produced before the ACB Court later in the day, according to officials.
Searches were carried out at his residence in Peddakapu Layout, Tirupati, the homes of his wife's brothers — Munikrishna and Ramesh — and the house of his younger brother in Yerpedu mandal.
Assets and Evidence Seized
During the raids, ACB officials seized significant evidence, including property documents, ₹12 lakh in cash, 2 kg of gold, 6.5 kg of silver, and other material. The agency identified assets worth approximately ₹5 crore, though officials noted the actual value could be higher at prevailing market rates.
Among the properties identified: a residential plot in Peddakapu Layout registered in the name of Lokanatham's wife, Manjula; two house plots in Gollavanigunta; a plot in the Padiredu forest area of Vadamalapeta mandal; and a house plot in Srinivasanagar, Tirupati in his son's name. Four fixed deposits held in the names of Lokanatham and his son were also identified by the agency.
Background: The TTD Ghee Adulteration Case
The ACB stated it conducted the searches as part of its surveillance of officials suspected of facilitating irregularities related to the alleged adulteration of ghee supplied to the TTD. The Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the ghee adulteration case had earlier recommended establishing the involvement of TTD officials and other suspects linked to the irregularities.
As a follow-up, ACB Visakhapatnam had registered a case against K. Chinna Appanna, who reportedly served as personal assistant to the then TTD chairman Y.V. Subba Reddy, for allegedly influencing ghee suppliers. The investigation trail subsequently led to Lokanatham.
Political Angle
Lokanatham reportedly held key positions during the tenure of the erstwhile YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) government in Andhra Pradesh. His arrest adds a political dimension to the probe, coming after a change of power in the state. Critics argue that the investigation reflects broader accountability concerns over the administration of one of the world's wealthiest religious institutions.
What Comes Next
With Lokanatham's arrest, the ACB's net appears to be widening. The SIT's mandate to establish the full chain of responsibility — from suppliers to facilitating officials — suggests further action against suspects is likely. The TTD ghee adulteration case has already drawn national attention, given the temple's religious and cultural significance.
Point of View
Supplier-focused phase. The ACB's identification of ₹5 crore in assets, combined with the SIT's push to map the full chain of responsibility, suggests investigators believe the irregularities required active facilitation from within the institution. The political undertone is hard to ignore: Lokanatham's reported proximity to the YSRCP era raises questions about whether accountability is being applied selectively now that the government has changed. The real test of the probe's credibility will be whether it follows the evidence upward, regardless of current political alignments.
NationPress
3 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was TTD Deputy EO Mendu Lokanatham arrested?
Mendu Lokanatham was arrested by the Andhra Pradesh ACB on 3 September as part of the investigation into the alleged adulteration of ghee supplied to the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam. The SIT probing the case had recommended establishing the involvement of TTD officials, and the investigation trail led to Lokanatham after an earlier case was registered against a personal assistant to the then TTD chairman.
What was found during the ACB raids on Lokanatham's premises?
ACB officials seized ₹12 lakh in cash, 2 kg of gold, 6.5 kg of silver, and property documents across four premises in Tirupati district. The agency identified total assets worth approximately ₹5 crore, with officials noting the actual value could be higher at prevailing market rates.
What is the TTD ghee adulteration case?
The TTD ghee adulteration case involves allegations that ghee supplied to the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam — used in sacred rituals at one of India's most prominent temples — was adulterated. A Special Investigation Team was constituted to probe the irregularities, and the investigation has progressively implicated suppliers, intermediaries, and now a serving TTD official.
Who else has been implicated in the TTD ghee adulteration probe?
ACB Visakhapatnam registered a case against K. Chinna Appanna, who reportedly served as personal assistant to then TTD chairman Y.V. Subba Reddy, for allegedly influencing ghee suppliers. The investigation subsequently led to Deputy EO Mendu Lokanatham.
What happens next after Lokanatham's arrest?
Lokanatham is expected to be produced before the ACB Court on Thursday. The SIT's mandate to establish the full chain of responsibility suggests further action against other suspects is likely as the investigation continues to widen.
