It said the main adulterant was a ‘chemical sludge’ designed to closely resemble authentic cow ghee. It was further stated that animal fats such as lard (pork fat) and tallow (beef fat) were found in the rejected tankers, which were eventually recycled and returned to the temple’s supply chain.
The charge sheet stated that the main supplier of ghee to the temple, Bhole Baba Dairy of Uttarakhand, did not purchase milk or butter during the period but instead manufactured a synthetic mixture using palm oil, kernel oil and chemical additives. It further said that Delhi-based trader Ajay Kumar Sugandh supplied chemicals such as acetic acid esters and artificial ghee flavors to help mimic the taste, aroma and laboratory values of real ghee.
The report further said that senior TTD officials, including former GM (Procurement) RSSVR Subrahmanyam, and external dairy experts facilitated the scam. These individuals have been accused of accepting bribes and gifts in exchange for issuing favorable quality reports and suppressing evidence of the presence of vegetable fat in the fake ghee. The cost summary included findings from the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB), whose laboratory analysis revealed S values of just 19.72 (standard range is 98-104), a figure indicative of serious adulteration.
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu in September 2024 alleged that animal fat was used in the preparation of Tirupati laddus during the previous YS Jagan Mohan Reddy-led regime in the state, leading to a huge political row across the country.
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