The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has arrested four individuals in connection with the Tirupati laddu adulteration case. Those arrested are Pomil Jain and Bipin Jain, former directors of Bhole Baba Dairy in Roorkee; Apoorva Vinay Kant Chawda, CEO of Vaishnavi Dairy in Poonambakkam; and Raju Rajasekharan, Managing Director of AR Dairy in Dundigal. The arrests follow an investigation into allegations of adulteration in the ghee supplied for preparing the laddus at Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD).
The CBI formed a special investigation team (SIT) following Supreme Court orders to probe the allegations. The SIT consisted of two CBI officials, two Andhra Pradesh government officers, and one representative from the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI). The investigation found irregularities in the ghee supply process, leading to the arrests. Vaishnavi Dairy was found to have secured tenders in the name of AR Dairy and fabricated documents and seals to manipulate the process. Fake records were created, falsely claiming that the ghee was sourced from Bhole Baba Dairy in Roorkee, which lacked the capacity to supply the required quantity.
The accused, interrogated for three days in Tirupati, were found to be uncooperative despite primary evidence of their involvement. The team conducted inspections at Tirumala, Tirupati, and AR Dairy’s facility in Tamil Nadu.
TTD uses approximately 15,000 kg of ghee daily for preparing Tirupati laddus. AR Dairy had secured a tender to supply ghee at Rs 320 per kg. On July 8, eight tankers of ghee were delivered, and samples from four tankers were sent for testing. Lab reports from the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) on July 17 confirmed the presence of adulterated substances in the ghee.
The controversy gained political traction, with Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu accusing the previous YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) government of using substandard ingredients, including animal fat, in the preparation of the laddus. Naidu raised these allegations during an NDA legislative party meeting, blaming the YSRCP administration for compromising the sanctity of the prasadam. The controversy prompted petitions to the Supreme Court by BJP leader Subramanian Swamy and YSRCP Rajya Sabha MP YV Subba Reddy, demanding a thorough investigation.
The Supreme Court, in its order dated October 4, instructed the CBI to investigate the allegations under the direct supervision of the CBI Director.