A file image of Laddu prasadam
| Photo Credit: The Hindu
The Special Investigation Team (SIT) constituted by the Supreme Court has submitted a report to the Andhra Pradesh government on the alleged use of adulterated ghee in the preparation of the sacred Tirumala ‘Srivari laddu prasadam’.
The 11-page report outlines serious irregularities, rule violations, and alleged deliberate misconduct that had taken place between 2019 and 2024, and recommends stringent action against those responsible.
The SIT, in its Self-Contained Note (SCN), has specifically highlighted the role of the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) Purchase Committee in the alleged adulterated ghee episode.
The names of Chevireddy Bhaskar Reddy (then MLA), Bhumana Karunakar Reddy (special invitee), and senior TTD officials Anil Kumar Singhal (then Executive Officer), A.V. Dharma Reddy (then Additional Executive Officer), and O. Balaji (then FA&CAO) find mention in the report.
The SIT has recommended that the government take suitable action as deemed fit against the erring committee members and senior TTD officials for “deliberate omissions and failures in both relaxation and enforcement of tender conditions.”
According to the SIT, violations had occurred at every stage of the process — from modification of tender conditions to procurement and supply of ghee, raising serious questions about oversight and accountability within the committee.
The SIT has also pointed out that major changes had been made to the tender conditions in 2020, allegedly without any scientific study or due diligence, enabling ineligible companies to participate in the bidding process.
Between 2020 and 2023, such unqualified firms had allegedly supplied adulterated ghee for laddu preparation. The role of Mr. Balaji was also pointed out in the issue.
The report points out that eligibility norms were significantly diluted, including a reduction of minimum turnover requirement from ₹250 crore to ₹150 crore, lowering mandatory dairy industry experience from three years to one year, removal of daily milk procurement norms, and a reduction in butter extraction requirements.
The SIT has specifically mentioned the role of the TTD Purchase Committee, noting that special invitees had played a key role in the tendering and procurement process, during which multiple violations occurred. Senior TTD officials were held responsible for allowing procurement from ineligible dairies, thereby hurting the religious sentiments of the devotees.
Amid mounting complaints, ghee samples were sent to the Central Food Technological Research Institute (CFTRI) on May 25, 2022. Tests reportedly had confirmed adulteration in ghee supplied by two dairies.
However, the SIT has noted that the findings were allegedly ignored by senior officials. Even after FSSAI mandated stricter standards in 2021, senior TTD officials had reportedly exempted certain private dairies from these specific quality agreements without recorded justification.
The SIT has said that the “hurried” and “unjustified” relaxation of tender conditions compromised the quality of the ghee used for the sacred Tirumala laddu. This negligence has led to the procurement of adulterated ingredients, ultimately hurting the religious sentiments of millions of devotees worldwide.
The report concludes that repeated lapses and coordinated failures at multiple levels enabled the continued supply of adulterated ghee, calling for strict legal and administrative action.
Published – February 04, 2026 09:34 am IST
