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The Supreme Court on Thursday, November 5, rejected a plea seeking the transfer of the trial in the Tirumala laddu ghee adulteration case from Andhra Pradesh, observing that the investigation was being handled by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).
Appearing for Maharashtra-based dairy businessman Machindra Shantaram Lanke, one of the accused, senior advocate Siddharth Dave argued that the political atmosphere in Andhra Pradesh was not conducive to a fair trial. He pointed to public statements made by Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu and Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan, alleging that their remarks could prejudice the proceedings.
Justice Joymalya Bagchi noted that the CBI was conducting the investigation and would not be influenced by comments from political leaders. Chief Justice Surya Kant said the court had already addressed such concerns and that the accused could approach it again if any interference occurred.
The case concerns the alleged supply of adulterated ghee to the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) between 2019 and 2024. Investigations by the CBI and Enforcement Directorate (ED) have uncovered an alleged large-scale fraud involving supplies valued at hundreds of crores.
The controversy erupted in September 2024 when Chandrababu Naidu claimed that animal fat had been used in ghee supplied for preparing Tirumala laddus. The Supreme Court subsequently criticised the public statements, cautioning against bringing religious matters into political disputes.
A chargesheet filed by the CBI-led Special Investigation Team in January 2026 found no evidence of animal fat in significant quantities. Instead, investigators alleged that synthetic ghee had been produced using palm oil, palm stearin and palm kernel oil.
The ED's September 2026 investigation alleged that manufacturers also used chemical additives to imitate cow ghee, passing off the product as Agmark Special Grade cow ghee.
The agency estimated the fraudulent supplies at around ₹230 crore and alleged that multiple dairy companies were involved in manufacturing, procurement and distribution. It has also accused the firms of maintaining fabricated purchase and sales records to disguise the transactions as legitimate ghee supplies.
The ED has attached assets worth Rs 129.85 crore in connection with the alleged scam.
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