Ghee Scam Rocks Tirupati Temple Trust
In a major breakthrough, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) arrested Chinna Appanna, a close aide of former Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) chairman Y.V. Subba Reddy, in connection with a massive ghee adulteration scandal. The arrest was made late Wednesday night, sending shockwaves across Andhra Pradesh’s religious and political circles.
According to investigators, Appanna allegedly demanded commissions from ghee suppliers and manipulated tender processes to favor certain vendors. The ghee in question was used in the preparation of the sacred Tirupati laddus, a prasadam distributed to millions of devotees annually. The adulterated ghee supply is estimated to be worth ₹250 crore.
The scandal dates back to 2022, when Appanna reportedly approached the procurement department of TTD and obtained confidential supplier details. He then contacted Bhole Baba Dairy, demanding ₹25 per kg as commission. When the dairy refused, Appanna allegedly pressured officials to conduct a second inspection of their plant, violating temple norms.
Appanna was produced before the ACB court in Nellore and remanded to judicial custody until November 11. He has been named Accused No. 24 in the case. The CBI-led Special Investigation Team (SIT) continues to probe the network of individuals involved in the scam, which has raised serious concerns about procurement transparency within TTD.
The arrest has political implications, given Appanna’s proximity to Y.V. Subba Reddy, a Rajya Sabha MP from the YSR Congress Party. Opposition leaders have demanded a wider probe into TTD’s procurement practices and called for accountability at the highest levels. Devotees and citizens alike have expressed outrage over the misuse of sacred offerings.
The Tirumala temple is one of the most revered pilgrimage sites in India. Any compromise in the quality of prasadam not only violates religious sanctity but also erodes public trust. Religious leaders have called for stringent reforms and independent audits to prevent future malpractice.
The Andhra Pradesh government has assured full cooperation with the CBI and promised to implement stricter procurement protocols. Officials have also pledged to restore the sanctity of temple offerings and ensure that no further adulteration occurs.
As the investigation unfolds, more arrests may follow. The case has become a litmus test for institutional integrity and political accountability in Andhra Pradesh. Citizens await justice and hope for a transparent resolution that safeguards both faith and governance.
