ED probe flags ₹230 crore ghee adulteration at Tirupati temple

The ED's investigation into the alleged adulteration of ghee used in the world-famous Tirupati Laddu has uncovered evidence of systematic fraud spanning five years, according to TDP leader Jyosthna Tirunagari. She alleged that approximately ₹230 crore worth of adulterated ghee was supplied to the Tirupati Temple Development Board (TTD) between 2019 and 2024 under the previous YSRCP government.

The probe agency's findings indicate that the ghee supplied for the preparation of the sacred sweet was allegedly manufactured using refined palm oil, palmolein, and various chemical additives instead of pure ghee. The investigation gained momentum following the recent arrest of Kailash Chand Mangla, a promoter of Sukriti Foods, a key supplier implicated in the case.

Tirunagari characterised the adulteration as a "deeply disturbing pattern" that went far beyond an isolated incident. "This indicates large-scale, meticulously planned, systemic adulteration that demands full accountability," she said, emphasising that the five-year duration of the alleged fraud warranted serious scrutiny of the previous administration's oversight of temple procurement processes.

The findings have triggered widespread concern about food safety standards at one of India's most visited religious sites and raised questions about the quality control mechanisms that were in place during the period in question. Authorities are expected to pursue further investigations into the supply chain and identify all entities involved in the alleged adulteration scheme.