Authorities in Andhra Pradesh have questioned the former chief of the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) Board, the body overseeing operations of the world-renowned Tirupati temple, in connection with an ongoing investigation into the adulterated ghee scandal.
The probe concerns the alleged supply of substandard or adulterated ghee used in the preparation of laddus, the temple’s sacred offering distributed among devotees.
The Investigation
Officials confirmed that the former TTD Board Chief was summoned for questioning by the Vigilance and Enforcement Department, which has been investigating irregularities in ghee procurement and supply contracts over the past year.
According to sources, the questioning focused on decisions made during the tenure of the former board and possible oversight failures in quality checks and supplier approvals.
A senior investigating officer said,
“We are verifying the chain of responsibility — from procurement approval to delivery — to determine whether negligence, corruption, or systemic lapses led to adulterated ghee being supplied.”
Background of the Case
The adulterated ghee case surfaced earlier this year when quality tests conducted at the TTD dairy processing unit revealed traces of non-dairy fats and inferior oil blends in certain consignments of ghee supplied to the temple kitchens.
The discovery led to the immediate blacklisting of suppliers, suspension of several procurement officials, and initiation of a multi-agency probe involving the Vigilance Department and the Food Safety Authority of Andhra Pradesh.
Investigators are also reviewing tender documents, invoices, and correspondence from the period when the questioned official headed the temple board.
Temple Administration’s Response
A spokesperson for the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams has stated that the temple board is fully cooperating with authorities.
“TTD treats the sanctity of temple offerings with utmost seriousness. Internal audits and external checks are being strengthened to ensure that only pure and certified ingredients are used in the preparation of prasadam,” the spokesperson said.
The temple management has reassured devotees that strict quality-control measures are now in place for all future ghee and ingredient procurements.
Impact on Temple Operations
The Tirupati temple’s famous laddu prasadam — made with ghee, gram flour, sugar, and dry fruits — is distributed to thousands of devotees daily and is an integral part of temple rituals and revenue.
The discovery of adulteration triggered widespread public concern, prompting authorities to accelerate the investigation and restore trust in the temple’s food safety systems.
Officials emphasized that no contaminated products are currently being used, as existing stock was discarded and replaced following the incident.
Next Steps in the Probe
Investigators are expected to summon additional officials and suppliers who were involved in the ghee procurement process. The probe aims to identify:
The extent of adulteration and period of occurrence.
Suppliers and intermediaries responsible for the adulterated batches.
Any financial or procedural irregularities linked to procurement approvals.
The former board chief’s responses will form a key part of the report being prepared for the state government and temple trust authorities.
Public Reaction
The incident has sparked widespread debate and disappointment among devotees, many of whom have called for greater transparency in temple procurement systems. Religious leaders and community representatives have urged for stronger penalties against those responsible for compromising the sanctity of temple offerings.
Conclusion
The questioning of the former Tirupati Temple Board Chief marks a significant step forward in the adulterated ghee investigation that has drawn both public and administrative attention.
As the probe widens, authorities are focused on identifying systemic flaws, holding those responsible accountable, and ensuring the integrity of one of India’s most revered temple traditions.
FAQs
Q1. What is the adulterated ghee case about?
A: The case involves the alleged supply of substandard ghee used in preparing Tirupati temple’s laddu prasadam.
Q2. Who has been questioned so far?
A: The former TTD Board Chief and several procurement officials have been questioned by the Vigilance Department.
Q3. Has the temple stopped distributing laddus?
A: No. The temple continues normal operations with fresh, verified ingredients.
Q4. What action has been taken against suppliers?
A: Suspect suppliers have been blacklisted, and fresh tenders are being issued under stricter quality checks.
Q5. What is the current status of the investigation?
A: The probe is ongoing, with a detailed report expected to be submitted to the state government soon.
Published on : 12th November
Published by : SMITA
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Source Credit:Reported by Uma Sudhir | Edited by Amit Rajpurohit | NDTV