CBI-Led SIT Concludes Probe, Files Final Chargesheet in TTD Laddu Ghee Adulteration Case
In a significant development, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI)-led Special Investigation Team (SIT) has concluded its extensive probe into the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) laddu ghee adulteration case. The final chargesheet was formally filed before the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) court in Nellore on Friday, marking a crucial step in the legal proceedings against the accused.
Massive Procurement Scam Uncovered
According to the detailed findings presented in the final chargesheet, the SIT has established that Uttarakhand-based Bhole Baba Dairy, in a well-orchestrated conspiracy with TTD staff members and external dairy experts, supplied a staggering 68 lakh kilograms of synthetic fake ghee to the Tirupati trust between 2021 and 2024. The estimated value of this adulterated ghee is approximately Rs 250 crore, positioning this as one of the most substantial procurement scams ever reported within the TTD.
Accused Named and Legal Status
The chargesheet names a total of 36 individuals as accused in this high-profile case. Among these, nine persons were arrested during the investigation. Currently, six of those arrested have been granted bail, while three remain in judicial custody. The individuals still incarcerated include:
- Ajay Kumar Sugandh, a Delhi-based chemicals supplier
- Chinna Appanna, associated with the dairy operations
- RSSVR Subrahmanyam, the former procurement General Manager of TTD
Background and Supreme Court Intervention
The investigation into this case gained momentum after the Supreme Court of India ordered a CBI-SIT probe in October 2024, following concerns about the quality and sourcing of ghee used in the sacred laddus offered at the Tirumala temple. This judicial intervention underscored the seriousness of the allegations and the need for an impartial investigation.
Composition of the SIT and Investigation Details
The SIT was a multidisciplinary team comprising experienced officers from various agencies:
- JD Veeresh Prabhu and DIG Murali Rambha from the CBI
- IG Sarvashresth Tripathi and DIG Gopinath Jatti from the Andhra Pradesh police
- Dr. Satyen Panda from the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI)
This core team was supported by a local police force of 30 personnel, led by Tirupati Additional SP Venkat Rao. Over a 15-month-long detailed investigation, the SIT meticulously gathered evidence and built a comprehensive case.
Modus Operandi and Network of Conspiracy
During the in-depth investigation, the SIT uncovered the elaborate modus operandi employed by the promoters of Bhole Baba Dairy, Pomil Jain and Vipin Jain. The investigation revealed that they allegedly conspired with representatives from other dairies, including Tamil Nadu-based AR Dairy and Tirupati-based Vyshnavi Dairy.
More critically, they connived with staff members from the TTD procurement department and external dairy experts affiliated with the Tirupati trust. This collusion enabled them to supply the massive quantity of synthetic ghee without procuring a single drop of milk, highlighting the fraudulent nature of the entire operation.
While the CBI arrested former GM RSSVR Subrahmanyam, the chargesheet also implicates seven additional TTD staffers from the procurement department who allegedly collaborated with the Bhole Baba promoters.
Role of External Experts
The SIT investigation further established that external dairy expert Vijaya Bhaskar Reddy played a pivotal role in the scam. He is accused of conspiring with the Bhole Baba promoters and providing favourable inspection and quality reports. These reports were instrumental in helping Bhole Baba Dairy successfully secure lucrative TTD ghee supply contracts, which were worth several hundred crores of rupees.
The filing of this final chargesheet represents a major milestone in the pursuit of justice and accountability in a case that has shaken the faith of millions of devotees. The legal process will now move forward as the court examines the evidence presented by the SIT.
