ED registers money laundering case in Tirupati laddu adulteration case

Mangalore Today News Network

Amaravati, Feb 10, 2026: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has registered a money laundering case to investigate an alleged ghee adulteration scam linked to the preparation of laddu prasadam at the renowned Tirumala temple in Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh, officials said.

The federal agency has booked the case under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) to probe suspected proceeds of crime and illicit funds generated by those involved. As part of the investigation, the ED is examining the FIR, documents and the chargesheet recently filed by a CBI-led Special Investigation Team (SIT).

The SIT has named 36 accused in the case, including nine officials of the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) and five dairy experts. According to the SIT’s findings, the material supplied to the Sri Venkateswara Swamy temple as ghee was in fact chemically processed palmolein oil mixed with other ingredients.

Officials said the ED is investigating possible money laundering, including the generation and diversion of illicit funds through the adulteration racket. The agency also suspects the use of hawala channels in the alleged financial transactions.

The issue had sparked a major political controversy after Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu claimed in September 2024 that animal fat was used in the preparation of Tirupati laddus during the previous YS Jagan Mohan Reddy-led government.

Earlier, TTD Chairman B R Naidu had stated that nearly 60 lakh kg of adulterated ghee, valued at around Rs 250 crore, was supplied to the temple body during the previous YSRCP regime.