Tirupati Laddu Scam: Delhi Trader Arrested for Supplying Chemicals in Fake Ghee Production

Tirupati Laddu Scam: Delhi Trader Arrested by SIT for Supplying Chemicals Used in Ghee Adulteration for TTD Laddus

The Tirupati Laddu Scam has taken a new turn with the arrest of Delhi-based trader Ajay Kumar Sugandha. The Special Investigation Team (SIT), probing the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) ghee adulteration case, identified Ajay Kumar as a major supplier of industrial chemicals used to create fake ghee. The SIT revealed that he played a crucial role in providing substances to Bholebaba Dairy, whose directors, Pomil Jain and Vipin Jain, are key suspects in the case. Ajay Kumar’s involvement reportedly dates back several years, during which he supplied materials that mimicked pure ghee’s texture and aroma—eventually finding their way into the sacred Tirupati laddus distributed to millions of devotees.

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Chemicals Used to Mimic Ghee Composition

According to the SIT’s findings, Ajay Kumar’s company sourced monoglycerides, acetic acid, and esters—chemicals typically used in palm oil processing—from suppliers in South Korea. These substances were then distributed through his Delhi-based trading network and delivered to Bholebaba Dairy’s manufacturing units. Investigators allege that these chemicals were blended with palm oil to simulate the rich consistency and flavor of natural ghee. The resulting adulterated mixture was later packaged under private labels such as Vaishnavi and AR Dairy before being supplied to the TTD for laddu production. The SIT believes that Ajay Kumar’s chemical supply chain was essential to maintaining this fraudulent operation for nearly seven years.

Over 90% of Ghee Found Adulterated

The Tirupati Laddu Scam exposed the shocking scale of contamination, with forensic tests confirming that over 90% of the ghee used in laddu production was adulterated. Laboratory analyses detected synthetic compounds and non-dairy substances inconsistent with pure ghee. This revelation has caused public outrage, given the laddus’ religious significance and the reputation of the Tirumala temple as one of India’s most sacred pilgrimage sites. The SIT also found evidence that adulterated ghee containing palm oil and chemical additives was consistently supplied over several years, raising serious questions about quality control mechanisms and vendor oversight within the TTD.

Political Fallout and Public Reaction

The scandal erupted in September 2024 after Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu accused the previous administration of negligence, claiming that adulterated ghee containing animal fat was used in preparing the Tirupati laddus. His allegations led to a major controversy and an uproar among devotees across India. To address the public outcry, the state government formed an SIT under court supervision to conduct a comprehensive probe into the Tirupati Laddu Scam. The revelations have not only damaged the temple administration’s credibility but also highlighted systemic failures in food safety monitoring.

Ajay Kumar’s Arrest and Legal Proceedings

Ajay Kumar was detained in Delhi three days ago and later transferred to Tirupati for interrogation at the SIT headquarters. During questioning, investigators seized financial documents, digital records, and correspondence that allegedly link him to the procurement and distribution of these chemicals. His role as a chemical intermediary has been pivotal in sustaining the adulteration network. The SIT presented him before the Nellore ACB Court, which remanded him to judicial custody until November 21. The court proceedings mark a significant step in uncovering the larger web of suppliers, manufacturers, and distributors implicated in the case.

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SIT Continues to Uncover the Larger Network

The Special Investigation Team is now expanding its probe to trace additional suppliers and financial backers who may have facilitated the adulteration scheme. The SIT suspects that several private dairies and middlemen collaborated to supply adulterated ghee under different brand labels to various institutions. Officials emphasize that this case is not just about food adulteration but also about the sanctity of offerings made to deities, which holds deep spiritual value for devotees. The Tirupati Laddu Scam serves as a grim reminder of how commercial greed can infiltrate even the most sacred traditions.

The Broader Impact on Faith and Trust

The Tirupati Laddu Scam has shaken public faith and drawn attention to the urgent need for stringent quality checks within religious food supply systems. For many devotees, the laddus symbolize divine blessings, making the revelations all the more distressing. The SIT’s ongoing investigation aims to restore transparency and reinforce trust in the sanctity of temple offerings. As more arrests and disclosures are expected, the case underscores the importance of integrity, accountability, and spiritual responsibility in religious institutions.

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