A Special Investigation Team (SIT) of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Wednesday interrogated RSSVR Subrahmanyam, former General Manager of the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) Procurement Department, in connection with the Tirumala laddu adulterated ghee scandal. The case involves allegations that substandard ghee was supplied for the preparation of the famous Tirumala laddus at the Sri Venkateswara Swamy Temple in August 2020.
According to sources, Subrahmanyam admitted during questioning that he had informed the then TTD Chairman, YV Subbareddy, in August 2020 that laboratory tests showed adulterated ghee was being used in laddu preparation. However, when asked why the supply from all four implicated dairies continued despite this warning, he reportedly told the SIT that the decision had been taken by the Chairman.
Sources said Subrahmanyam frequently responded that he “did not remember” or “could not answer” several questions posed by the investigators.
In a parallel development, the SIT also interrogated Ajay Kumar Sugandh, owner of Sugandh Oils and Chemicals, as part of the ongoing probe. Sugandh was reportedly uncooperative and remained silent through much of the questioning.
When asked why he partnered with Pomil Jain and Vipin Jain, directors of Bhole Baba Dairy—accused of running an adulterated ghee racket for several years—Sugandh denied having any connection to their activities.
Subrahmanyam’s questioning intensified after SIT inspectors discovered that Bhole Baba Dairy plants in Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh lacked the production capacity required to meet TTD’s supply demands. Investigators asked why he, as GM of Procurement and a member of the inspection team, failed to detect the capacity shortfall and whether he had colluded with the dairies.
He reportedly responded that he and other team members had conducted inspections and submitted their observations to the TTD. The SIT also confronted Subrahmanyam over why he shared the names and contact information of approved dairies with a man named Chinnappanna, who had no official association with the TTD. Subrahmanyam claimed he did so because Chinnappanna had introduced himself as the personal secretary of Subba Reddy.
The investigation into the adulterated ghee supply chain continues, with more officials and suppliers expected to be questioned in the coming days.
Follow us
