CBI arrests 4 in Tirupati laddu adulteration case: TDP

February 10, 2025

Amaravati: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has detained four individuals linked to the adulteration of ghee used in the Tirumala Srivari Laddu, according to sources from the Telugu Desam Party (TDP). Following orders from the Supreme Court, the CBI established a special investigation team (SIT) to look into the issue.

The arrested individuals are connected to suppliers of ghee to the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD), including AR Dairy from Tamil Nadu, Parag Dairy from Uttar Pradesh, Premier Agri Foods, and Alpha Milk Foods. Among those apprehended are Bipin Jain and Pomil Jain, former directors of Bhole Baba Dairy from Roorkee, Uttarakhand, Apoorva Vinay Kant Chawda, CEO of Vaishnavi Dairy (Poonambakkam), and Raju Rajasekharan, MD of AR Dairy (Dundigal).

According to TDP, the suspects were interrogated in Tirupati for three days but reportedly remained uncooperative despite the strong evidence against them. Investigations have raised serious concerns, with allegations of animal carcass residues found in the ghee, provoking outrage among devotees. The probe, led by CBI Hyderabad Division Joint Director Viresh Prabhu, includes support from various officials, with inspections taking place in multiple locations, such as Tirumala, Tirupati, and AR Dairy’s facility in Tamil Nadu. AR Dairy, which had a contract with TTD, was found to have committed several irregularities. Joint Director Viresh Prabhu is currently stationed in Tirupati to oversee the investigation, as reported by TDP.