India’s famous Tirupati temple has been rocked by a major fraud where a dairy supplied 68 lakh kilograms of fake ghee over five years, used in sacred laddus offered to millions of devotees. The Central Bureau of Investigation uncovered that Bhole Baba Organic Dairy never bought milk or butter but created false records to push adulterated products worth Rs 250 crore to the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams.
The Shocking Discovery
Investigators found the dairy in Uttarakhand operated without real production. They supplied ghee mixed with palm oil, chemicals like monodiglycerides, and even animal fats. This went on from 2019 to 2024, fooling temple authorities.
The probe started after complaints about laddu quality. Lab tests showed the ghee failed purity standards. Officials rejected some batches in July 2024, but the same stock reappeared through other suppliers.
Recent arrests include promoters Pomil Jain and Vipin Jain, plus supplier Ajay Kumar Sugandh. They face charges of conspiracy and fraud.
How the Scam Worked
The dairy used fake documents to win contracts. Even after a 2022 blacklist for poor practices, they routed supplies through fronts like Vyshnavi Dairy in Tirupati, Mal Ganga in Uttar Pradesh, and AR Dairy in Tamil Nadu.
Investigators say the group made Rs 240 crore in profits. They mixed cheap oils and additives to mimic real ghee. No milk was ever procured, yet records showed huge outputs.
One key trick involved recycling rejected ghee. Four containers turned away for animal fat contamination came back via proxies.
This breach happened under the previous temple board, raising questions about oversight.
Here is a timeline of major events in the scandal:
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| 2019 | Bhole Baba starts supplying ghee to TTD. |
| 2022 | Dairy blacklisted for quality issues, but continues via fronts. |
| 2024 | Batches rejected in July; probe begins after lab tests. |
| 2025 | CBI arrests key figures; full scam details emerge in court. |
Key Players and Their Roles
Promoters Pomil Jain and Vipin Jain ran the operation from Bhagawanpur. They handled fake records and chemical mixing.
Ajay Kumar Sugandh provided additives to make the fake ghee pass basic checks.
Front companies like Vyshnavi Dairy acted as middlemen, fabricating seals and tenders.
A former temple aide, Chinna Appanna, was arrested for links to the ex-chief. The CBI opposes bail, citing witness threats and a multi-crore plot.
Impact on Devotees and Temple Trust
Millions eat Tirupati laddus as holy offerings. This adulteration hurts religious sentiments and health trust. Some reports mention possible animal fats, sparking outrage among vegetarians.
The temple has tightened supplier checks. Devotees demand accountability from past leaders.
Experts say such scams harm India’s dairy industry, worth over Rs 10 lakh crore in 2025. Similar frauds hit other temples last year, like a fake milk powder case in Rajasthan.
- Health risks from chemicals and fats in fake ghee.
- Loss of faith in sacred food items.
- Economic damage to genuine dairy farmers.
Ongoing Probe and Legal Actions
The CBI’s special team is questioning more officials, including the temple’s executive officer. They found the scam tied to the YSRCP rule period.
Courts denied bail to accused, fearing evidence tampering. The investigation covers five years of supplies.
Authorities urge reporting suspicious dairy practices. This case links to broader food safety drives in 2025, like nationwide ghee testing.
What Lies Ahead
Temple leaders plan stricter audits and lab verifications. The scandal pushes for better laws on religious food supplies.
It reminds us of recent events, like the 2024 spice contamination probe that led to global recalls.
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