Tirupati laddu case: SIT to issue notices to temple body's ex-chairmen, officers

India Today

07-06-2025

The Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) laddu ghee case is set to issue notices to former TTD chairmen and executive officers who served during the YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) regime, sources said on Saturday.According to sources, SIT officials will likely serve the first round of notices on Monday to former TTD chairman YV Subba Reddy, along with Dharma Reddy, other past chairmen, executive officers, and former TTD EO Anil Kumar Singhal (Deo). The officials are expected to be summoned to cooperate with the investigation.advertisementThis development marks a significant update in the high-profile probe into the alleged supply of adulterated ghee for the sacred Tirupati laddu prasadam.
This comes just two days after the SIT, led by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), strongly opposed bail for the directors of three dairies accused of being at the heart of the scandal.In its arguments before the court, the CBI described the case as a "betrayal of faith", calling it not just food fraud but a deeply entrenched, multi-crore conspiracy to defraud not only the TTD but crores of devotees across the country. PSP Suresh Kumar, standing counsel for the CBI, highlighted the sensitive nature of the crime, given its connection to a religious institution.Investigators allege that Bholebaba Dairy, which did not have a formal contract with TTD, used AR Dairy as a front to secure the lucrative ghee supply agreement. While the documentation was in AR Dairy's name, the actual product was reportedly delivered by Bholebaba. Tests later revealed that the so-called ghee was not dairy-based at all, but a harmful concoction of palm oil and chemicals.advertisementThree dairies- Bholebaba, Vaishnavi, and AR Dairy - are alleged to have jointly run the racket, conducting business worth hundreds of crores. In addition to financial fraud, the CBI has also accused the accused parties of attempting to tamper with the investigation.One of the co-accused, Asish Rohilla, who had reportedly agreed to testify as a witness, was allegedly relocated under duress to Chennai and later to Delhi in an effort to silence him. The CBI argued that the accused have access to immense financial resources and could influence or threaten other witnesses if granted bail.With religious sentiment and public trust hanging in the balance, the agency has urged the court to handle the matter with the highest level of seriousness. The SIT is now focused on widening the scope of the probe to include all those who held positions of authority during the time of the alleged wrongdoing.This marks the first time that notices will be served to former TTD chairpersons in connection with the case, indicating that the investigation is now moving beyond suppliers and into the administrative chain that governed TTD during the YSRCP regime.