The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has launched a detailed probe into alleged irregularities involving the supply of ghee worth ₹250 crore to the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD), which manages the Tirupati temple in Andhra Pradesh.
According to officials, a Uttarakhand-based dairy is under investigation for reportedly supplying over 68 lakh kg of ghee between 2019 and 2024, despite having no verifiable record of milk or butter procurement during the period. The inquiry was initiated after reports of possible adulteration in ghee used for laddu prasadam surfaced.
Five-year supply under scrutiny
As per official reports, the CBI’s Special Investigation Team (SIT) took over the inquiry following the arrest of a key accused who allegedly provided certain food-grade chemicals to the dairy under investigation. The establishment, identified as operating from Bhagawanpur in Uttarakhand, was among the suppliers contracted by the TTD for ghee procurement.
The SIT’s remand report, submitted to a Nellore court, lists the firm’s promoters and notes that fabricated documentation of milk procurement and production may have been used to secure tenders.
Blacklisted supplier allegedly continued via proxies
Investigators said that despite being blacklisted in 2022, the dairy continued supplying ghee to TTD through other companies that successfully bid for contracts. These included dairies based in Andhra Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu.
The probe is also examining how certain rejected consignments from one of the proxy dairies were allegedly re-routed and re-labelled before being accepted again.
FSSAI and SIT findings
According to officials from the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) and the SIT, the supply route and documentation of several ghee consignments are being verified. Investigators are now tracing the tankers’ movements and verifying laboratory test reports to confirm the authenticity and composition of the ghee supplied.
TTD cooperation and ongoing investigation
TTD officials have said they are extending full cooperation to the probe and will review procurement procedures to ensure stronger compliance in the future. The CBI has sought assistance from multiple state authorities and food safety laboratories.
The investigation remains ongoing, and officials have emphasised that all findings will be verified through due process before further action is taken.