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Amid the ongoing probe into the Tirupati laddu adulteration, the officials have estimated that nearly 20 crore laddoos distributed at the shrine over five years were made using impure ghee.
The Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) Trust Board, which oversees the Sri Venkateshwara temple, said the estimated number was based on the number of visitors, purchase records and production data for 2019–2024. In total, 48.76 crore laddoos were made during this period.
The incident came to light for the first time last year when tests revealed impurities in the prasad, leading to an uproar among devotees who consider the laddoo sacred.
The investigation, now led by a Special Investigation Team (SIT) under the Central Bureau of Investigation, has uncovered
large-scale adulteration.
According to the SIT, around 68 lakh kg of contaminated ghee—mixed with palm oil, palm kernel oil and other harmful substances—was supplied by Bhole Baba Dairy from Uttarakhand and several connected shell companies. The estimated value of the adulterated ghee supply is about Rs 250 crore.
During these five years, around 11 crore devotees visited the temple. Officials say it is impossible to know which devotees received the adulterated laddoos, as the prasad is not labelled separately. Even VVIP laddoos cannot be distinguished, the TTD has admitted.
As part of the ongoing probe, the SIT recently questioned former TTD chairman and YSRCP MP YV Subba Reddy for nearly eight hours. When asked about allowing the ghee consignments despite a lab detecting impurities, he said the report “was never placed before him” and that purchases were made following recommendations of the technical committee. His former assistant, Chinna Appanna, has already been arrested.
The SIT has also questioned former TTD Executive Officer AV Dharma Reddy. Its findings have been submitted to a court in Nellore, and a supplementary chargesheet is expected by 15 December.
