Ghee Scandal: Tirupati's Sacred Laddu Ingredient Under Scrutiny

Background of the Controversy

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI)-led Special Investigation Team (SIT) has unraveled a scandal involving a Tamil Nadu-based dairy, AR Dairy Pvt. Ltd., which stands accused of supplying adulterated ghee to the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD). This ghee is a vital ingredient in preparing the sacred laddu prasadam offered at the temple.

Procurement and Adulteration Details

The investigation revealed that AR Dairy procured cow ghee from a Uttarakhand-based Bhole Baba Dairy, which allegedly supplied adulterated ghee to TTD, earning a commission of Rs 2.75 to Rs 3 per kilogram. Furthermore, following the outbreak of the scandal, Bhole Baba Dairy's promoters appointed their drivers as directors to evade potential legal actions.

Legal Actions and Arrests

In a move to address these allegations, the SIT has arrested four individuals, including former directors Bipin Jain and Pomil Jain from Bhole Baba Dairy, CEO Apoorva Vinay Kant Chawda, and AR Dairy's MD Raju Rajasekharan. Additional details indicate widespread tender manipulation and use of fabricated documents, implicating multiple dairies in the scheme.

Impact on Tirupati's Sacred Offerings

The sacred laddus, a staple offering in Tirupati, require an average of 15,000 kgs of cow ghee daily. The revelation of adulteration has raised significant concerns regarding the integrity of religious offerings. TTD has long procured ghee under strict specifications, including Agmark Special Grade, to ensure quality for devotees.

Further Investigations

The Supreme Court has taken notice of the gravity of these allegations, forming a five-member special investigation team to delve deeper into the adulteration reports. The SIT includes members from the CBI, Andhra Pradesh government, and the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI). Initial laboratory tests have confirmed the presence of impurities in ghee samples, intensifying the investigation.