Synthetic Ghee Scam,CBI Exposes Rs 250 Crore Temple Fraud
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has delivered a final report in the sensational Tirumala Laddu case. A special investigation team (SIT) filed the chargesheet at the Nellore Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) Court, bringing a long-awaited end to a fifteen-month investigation. The findings shift the focus from animal fat claims to a massive, industrial-scale synthetic ghee racket involving 36 accused individuals.
The probe confirms that between 2021 and 2024, a private dairy based in Uttarakhand supplied 68 lakh kilograms of fake ghee to the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD). This fraudulent supply, valued at approximately Rs 250 crore, was manufactured entirely without the use of milk. Investigators discovered the accused utilized a base of palm oil, palm kernel oil, and palmolein sourced from Kolkata to create the synthetic blend.
To bypass strict laboratory checks, the syndicate allegedly used a chemical cocktail. This included beta-carotene for color, acetic acid ester for chemical balance, and synthetic ghee flavors to mimic the traditional aroma. By hacking the Reichert-Meissl (RM) purity values, they successfully deceived the temple’s quality control protocols for years. This sophisticated method allowed the fake product to pass as genuine cow ghee.
The legal net has widened to include nine TTD employees and five external dairy experts. These individuals are accused of colluding with the suppliers to provide favorable inspection reports. Currently, key figures including chemical suppliers and former temple procurement managers remain in judicial custody. While previous claims of animal fat triggered a religious storm, the CBI findings emphasize a deep-rooted corporate and bureaucratic conspiracy.
Political reactions have been immediate following the court filing. The opposition party is now demanding a public apology from the state leadership, claiming the report proves there was no animal fat used. They argue the narrative was a political tool, while the ruling alliance maintains the investigation has finally exposed the massive corruption and neglect that occurred during the previous administration.
