ED arrests ghee supplier in major TTD adulteration fraud case

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) arrested a ghee supplier on Wednesday in connection with one of the largest adulteration cases involving supplies to the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD), the temple authority managing the renowned Tirupati shrine in Andhra Pradesh.

According to ED officials, the accused had allegedly supplied adulterated and substandard ghee to TTD over a five-year period spanning from 2019 to 2024. The fraudulent transactions are valued at approximately ₹230 crore, representing significant financial losses to the temple trust.

The investigation, which comes after initial complaints about the quality of ghee supplied for temple rituals and the preparation of prasadams, has uncovered systematic violations in supply contracts and quality standards. The ED is reportedly examining financial transactions and documentation related to the procurement process to determine the full extent of the fraud.

The TTD, which oversees one of India's most visited Hindu pilgrimage sites, has been seeking stringent action against suppliers found guilty of compromising on quality standards. The arrest marks a significant development in efforts to ensure accountability in the temple's procurement operations and protect the interests of millions of devotees who visit Tirupati annually.