In a shocking revelation, the Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) laddu ghee adulteration case has arrested Delhi-based chemical trader Ajay Kumar Sugandha for allegedly supplying chemicals used to manufacture fake ghee that was later used in the sacred Tirupati laddus.
Ajay Kumar, identified as Accused No. 16 (A-16) in the case, is accused of working closely with Bholebaba Dairy directors Pomil Jain and Vipin Jain, providing them with chemical compounds designed to mimic the taste, texture, and aroma of pure ghee.
⚗️ Chemicals Used to Fake Ghee Quality
According to SIT officials, Sugandha had been supplying monoglycerides, acetic acid, and esters — industrial chemicals often used in palm oil processing — to Bholebaba Dairy for over seven years. These compounds were reportedly imported from South Korea and distributed across India through a Delhi-based network operated under Sugandha’s company.
Investigators allege that the adulterated ghee — made by blending palm oil with chemical agents — was later branded under Vaishnavi and AR Dairy, which supplied the product to TTD’s official laddus.
“The chemicals allowed palm oil to pass as ghee in texture, aroma, and density. It was a systematic fraud targeting temple sanctity and consumer trust,” said a senior SIT official.
⚠️ 90% of Ghee Found Adulterated
Forensic laboratory tests have revealed that over 90% of the ghee used in the preparation of the famed Tirupati laddus was adulterated. The reports confirmed the presence of synthetic compounds inconsistent with dairy-based ghee, exposing a massive supply chain racket that spanned multiple states.
The scam was first exposed in September 2024, when Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu accused the former state administration of permitting adulterated ghee containing animal fat in temple production. The revelation caused nationwide outrage, leading to the formation of a court-monitored SIT to probe the scandal.
🚨 Arrest and Ongoing Probe
Ajay Kumar was detained in Delhi three days ago and subsequently brought to Tirupati for interrogation. SIT officials seized financial documents and communication records linking him to the chemical supply network.
He was presented before the Nellore ACB Court, which remanded him to judicial custody until November 21.
The SIT continues to track the broader syndicate — including logistics handlers, chemical distributors, and financial intermediaries — believed to be part of a larger adulteration and money laundering nexus.
“This case isn’t just about food adulteration — it’s about betraying public faith at one of India’s holiest sites,” an SIT investigator told Hiddenpage.in.
The case has raised serious concerns about quality control, religious food sanctity, and oversight mechanisms within temple trusts across India.
🧾 Key Facts: Tirupati Laddu Ghee Scam
- Main Accused: Bholebaba Dairy directors & chemical trader Ajay Kumar Sugandha
- Chemicals Used: Monoglycerides, acetic acid, esters (used in palm oil)
- Extent of Adulteration: Over 90% ghee adulterated
- Brands Involved: Vaishnavi and AR Dairy
- Action Taken: SIT probe, arrests, forensic verification, and court custody
