The controversy over alleged adulteration in the Tirumala 'laddu prasadam' has intensified after former Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) board chairman Y V Subba Reddy acknowledged that adulterated ghee was used during his tenure.
The issue resurfaced following findings by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) that several chemicals were used in the preparation of the 'laddus'.
Reddy, a close relative of former Andhra Pradesh chief minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy, said he agreed with the findings of the Special Investigation Team (SIT), which detected chemicals and other substances in the 'laddu' samples. However, he denied any personal involvement.
“Ghee adulteration did happen. The SIT report stated that ghee was adulterated with palm oil, palm kernel oil and some other substances. It also said many individuals, some officials and even third parties were involved in the supply of adulterated ghee. Their names were mentioned in the chargesheet,” he told the media.
He also rejected allegations that one of the accused, Kaduru Chinnappanna, who allegedly received the proceeds of the crime, was his personal assistant.
Reddy’s admission of adulteration during his tenure has triggered fresh political controversy, with questions being raised over how the previous TTD board under the YSR Congress Party allowed the alleged irregularities.
According to the SIT probe, Bhole Baba Dairy, which supplied large quantities of ghee to Tirumala during the YSRCP regime, allegedly used monoglycerides on a large scale during production. The chemical was reportedly imported from Korea by Delhi-based Raghubir Sharan Overseas and supplied to the dairy by Sugandh Oil Company.
On April 23, 2025, the SIT seized large quantities of monoglycerides in 200-kg drums bearing Venus brand labels during a raid. The labels indicated the product was manufactured by IL Shin Wells Co. Limited in Korea. Subsequent inspections at Bhole Baba Dairy in Bhagwanpur, Uttarakhand, also reportedly found the same substance.
The SIT chargesheet stated that adulterated ghee was manufactured using these chemicals and supplied to Tirumala for the preparation of the 'laddus'. The investigation is ongoing.
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