- विज्ञापन -
Tirupati: A Special Investigation Team (SIT) formed by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has arrested four individuals in connection with the adulteration of ghee used in the Tirumala Srivari Laddu, sending them to judicial remand. The CBI, acting on the Supreme Court’s instructions, reported significant flaws in the e-tendering process of the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD).
The arrested include Bipin Jain and Pomil Jain, former directors at Bhole Baba Dairy (Roorkee, Uttarakhand), CEO of Vaishnavi Dairy (Poonambakkam) Apoorva Vinay Kant Chawda, and AR Dairy (Dundigal) MD Raju Rajasekharan. The Telegu Desam Party noted that the suspects were interrogated for three days in Tirupati but failed to cooperate, even in light of compelling evidence, which included disturbing findings of animal carcass residues in the ghee—a discovery that has upset devotees.
AR Dairy, which had a contract with TTD, has been implicated in several irregularities. The investigation is being closely monitored by Joint Director Viresh Prabhu who has been stationed in Tirupati, according to TDP.
Bharatiya Janata Party spokesperson Lanka Dinakar confirmed that all those recently arrested in relation to the alleged adulteration of the sacred laddu Prasadam will soon be presented in court. He stated that the investigation into the adulteration of prasad at the Sri Venkateswara Swamy Temple in Tirumala is ongoing.
In response to the arrests, TTD Board Member Bhanu Prakash Reddy commented that several directors from the dairies were taken into custody and sent for remand, emphasizing the expectation that more information will emerge about the individuals involved. Reddy expressed confidence that those responsible will face strict consequences, and indicated that further arrests would follow as evidence is gathered during the inquiry.
