Tirupati laddu case: Chargesheet names TTD staff, ghee suppliers

The CBI SIT has filed a chargesheet in the Tirupati laddu ghee adulteration case, naming TTD employees and ghee suppliers. The case had triggered a major political controversy following allegations of animal fat use during the previous YSRCP regime

Amaravati: A CBI special investigation team (SIT) probing the Tirupati laddu ghee adulteration case has completed its investigation and filed the final chargesheet in a local court, naming a few Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) employees, some ghee suppliers and others as accused.

“The chargesheet was filed in the Nellore ACB court on Friday,” a source told PTI on Saturday.

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Accusing several individuals and ghee suppliers, the SIT’s remand report had earlier observed that adulterated ghee was prepared by mixing ingredients such as palm oil, palm kernel oil and palmolein.

Besides inferior-quality ghee, chemicals such as beta carotene, acetic acid ester, ghee flavour and other adulterants were allegedly used to adjust laboratory test values and maintain aroma, the report said.

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu had claimed in September 2024 that animal fat was used in the preparation of Tirupati laddus (consecrated sweet) during the previous Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy-led government, triggering a major political row.

During an NDA legislative party meeting in the state in 2024, Naidu had alleged that the erstwhile YSRCP government did not even spare the Sri Venkateswara temple and used substandard ingredients and animal fat for making laddus, which are revered and sought after by crores of devotees.

The allegations had sparked a nationwide controversy, hurting the sentiments of crores of Hindus.