Published Oct 14, 2026 | 7:50 PM ⚊ Updated Oct 14, 2026 | 7:50 PM
ED intensified its probe into the alleged adulteration of ghee supplied to the TTD for the preparation of laddu prasadam.
Synopsis: ED said its investigation found that the Bhole Baba firm, directly and through other dairies, supplied adulterated ghee worth approximately ₹234.5 crore to TTD. The ED alleged that although other dairies participated in TTD tenders under their own company names, Bhole Baba and Sukruthi Foods manufactured the adulterated ghee at their factories. It stated that these dairies acted as intermediaries for commissions.
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has intensified its investigation into the alleged adulteration of ghee supplied to the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) for preparing the famed laddu prasadam.
The ED Hyderabad Zonal Office said on Wednesday, 14 October, that it has provisionally attached movable and immovable properties worth ₹129.85 crore as part of the probe.
The attached properties belong to Bhole Baba Organic Dairy Milk Private Limited, Sri Vaishnavi Dairy Specialities Private Limited, and Sukruthi Foods Private Limited, as well as their promoters, family members, and other related individuals and entities.
The ED took up the probe under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002, based on an FIR registered at the Tirupati East Police Station.
Along with allegations of entering into a criminal conspiracy to supply adulterated ghee to TTD, the case involves elements related to cheating, forgery, and corruption.
The ED noted that the Special Investigation Team (SIT) filed a chargesheet and a supplementary chargesheet in this matter before the Special Court for Prevention of Corruption Act Cases in Nellore. The ED stated that the investigation revealed massive irregularities in the supply of ghee used to prepare the Tirumala Srivari laddu prasadam, causing a loss to TTD and posing a threat to public health.
Also Read: Significance of the iconic laddu ‘prasadam’
The central agency said the investigation found that the Bhole Baba firm, directly and through other dairies, supplied adulterated ghee worth approximately ₹234.5 crore to TTD. The ED alleged that although other dairies participated in TTD tenders under their own company names, Bhole Baba and Sukruthi Foods manufactured the adulterated ghee at their factories. It stated that these dairies acted as intermediaries for commissions.
An ED press release said the investigation found the use of oils such as refined palm oil, palm kernel oil, and palmolein in the ghee manufacturing process, along with the mixing of chemicals like monoglycerides, acetic acid ester, lactic acid, and beta-carotene. It alleged that they concealed their true nature by presenting them as ingredients used in edible oils.
The ED explained that bogus purchases and sales were used to conceal illicit proceeds from manufacturing and supplying adulterated ghee. It stated that the books recorded palm oil used for manufacturing as having been sold to fake buyers. It noted that by showing non-existent purchases of milk and ghee, as well as sales of by-products like skimmed milk, the records portrayed a genuine dairy business.
The ED alleged that payments for these fictitious purchases were shown as made through banking channels, and the cash was subsequently received back through hawala routes. It said the investigation found the cash was used to pay fake palm oil buyers, pay commissions to intermediary dairies, and pay other individuals connected to the affair.
Also Read: No lard, fish oil but synthetic adulterants in TTD laddu ghee
On 3 June 2026, the ED conducted searches at 16 locations linked to the main conspirators, intermediary dairies, chemical suppliers, and accommodation providers in this case. These inspections took place in Uttarakhand, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Delhi, Rajasthan, and Andhra Pradesh. The searches found cash and bank account balances worth ₹2.7 crore, which were seized and frozen.
It also arrested Vipin Jain, Promoter and Director of Bhole Baba Organic Dairy Milk Private Limited, and Kailash Chand Mangla, Promoter and Director of Sukruthi Foods Private Limited. The investigation revealed that they manufactured adulterated ghee and supplied it to TTD.
The ED said it has taken action against assets worth a total of ₹132.55 crore so far in this case. It explained that this includes properties, cash, and bank balances seized and frozen under Section 17 of the PMLA.
The recent provisional attachment of assets worth ₹129.85 crore stands as a crucial development in this case. The ED said the investigation is continuing to identify suspected illicit proceeds generated from the supply of adulterated ghee, trace related transactions, and examine the financial affairs of the concerned individuals and entities.
(Edited by Majnu Babu).
