Has a Tirumala Temple Official Been Arrested in the Laddu Adulteration Case?
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Synopsis
In a shocking turn of events, a senior official from Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam was arrested in connection with the Laddu prasadam ghee adulteration scandal. This case highlights significant lapses in quality control and procurement processes, leading to a major investigation by the Supreme Court-appointed SIT.
Key Takeaways
- Significant arrests made: A senior TTD official was arrested in connection with the laddu ghee adulteration case.
- Quality control failures: The investigation revealed serious lapses in quality control of ghee used for laddu prasadam.
- Widespread adulteration: Approximately 20 crore laddus were made with adulterated ghee from 2019 to 2024.
- Ongoing investigations: The SIT continues to probe former officials linked to the procurement process.
- Public accountability: The case highlights the need for transparency in sacred offerings.
Tirupati, Nov 28 (NationPress) In a significant development, the Special Investigation Team (SIT), appointed by the Supreme Court, has apprehended a current official from the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam (TTD) in the case concerning the adulteration of ghee in laddu prasadam.
The SIT, under the guidance of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), took into custody senior official RSSVR Subrahmanyam from the TTD Engineering Department, linking him to the TTD laddu-ghee adulteration scandal.
Previously, Subrahmanyam held the position of General Manager (Procurement) at TTD, where he was in charge of obtaining essential ingredients, including the ghee utilized for making laddus, as stated by Sarvasresti Tripathi, a member of the SIT and Inspector General of Guntur Range.
The SIT presented him to the ACB Court, which has placed him in judicial custody for a duration of 15 days.
He marks the 29th individual implicated in this case. To date, nine individuals have been arrested, with him being the first active TTD official taken into custody.
Subrahmanyam was involved in the technical team that oversaw ghee manufacturing facilities, where he allegedly conducted inspections and issued quality certifications in return for bribes from private suppliers.
His arrest was based on testimonies from other accused parties, revealing a connection between TTD's marketing division and private dairy operators.
The SIT has recently interrogated former TTD chairman and YSR Congress Parliamentary Party leader YV Subba Reddy, during whose term it is believed that adulterated ghee was used in laddu production.
Former TTD executive officer A. V. Dharma Reddy was also questioned regarding shortcomings in the procurement of ghee, supplier verification, and quality control practices.
He was asked how Bhole Baba Dairy, which was blacklisted by TTD in 2022, was able to continue supplying ghee through intermediary firms.
According to the SIT's findings, between 2019 and 2024, approximately 20 crore laddus were prepared using adulterated ghee.
Out of the total 48.76 crore laddus manufactured in this timeframe, nearly 40% were discovered to include palm oil, palm kernel oil, and other chemical additives.
The SIT also recently apprehended Ajay Kumar Sugandh, who provided various chemicals to Bhole Baba Dairy.
Investigations revealed that Bhole Baba Organic Dairy from Uttarakhand never sourced any milk or butter, yet managed to supply 68 lakh kgs of ghee to TTD from 2019 to 2024 through proxy firms including Nellore's Vyshnavi Dairy, Maharashtra's Mal Ganga Dairy, and Tamil Nadu's AR Dairy.
Promoters of Bhole Baba Dairy allegedly set up a complete fake desi ghee manufacturing operation, supplying 68 lakh kg of counterfeit ghee, valued at Rs 250 crore, for laddu prasadam preparation at TTD.
Last month, the SIT arrested K Chinna Appanna, a close associate of Subba Reddy, who served as Subba Reddy's personal assistant from 2014 to 2024, and is accused of facilitating contracts to ineligible dairies.
The alleged laddu scandal came to light following the formation of a coalition government led by the Telugu Desam Party in June 2024. In September, the state government established an SIT, led by Inspector General Sarvashreshta Tripathi, to investigate the matter.
However, following petitions against the SIT's constitution by the state government, the Supreme Court mandated the formation of a new independent five-member SIT in October 2024, replacing the state-appointed team.
This Supreme Court-appointed SIT includes two CBI officers, two senior police officials from Andhra Pradesh, and one representative from the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI).
Point of View
I emphasize the importance of transparency and accountability in institutions that hold significant cultural and religious value. The ongoing investigation into the TTD laddu scandal underscores the need for rigorous oversight to ensure the integrity of sacred offerings. The public deserves answers and justice in this critical matter.
NationPress
28/11/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Laddu adulteration case about?
The case involves the adulteration of ghee used in making Laddu prasadam at the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam, leading to an investigation by a Special Investigation Team.
Who was arrested in connection with the case?
RSSVR Subrahmanyam, a senior official from the TTD Engineering Department, was arrested in relation to the laddu ghee adulteration scandal.
What were the findings of the SIT investigation?
The SIT found that a significant amount of laddu was made using adulterated ghee, with many batches containing harmful additives like palm oil.
How many people have been arrested so far?
So far, a total of nine people have been arrested, including Subrahmanyam.
What actions are being taken against those involved?
The SIT is conducting a thorough investigation and has interrogated several key figures associated with the TTD to ensure accountability.
