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The Tirupati Laddu, a sacred offering at the iconic Lord Venkateswara Swamy temple in Tirumala, has been at the center of a controversy involving the alleged adulteration of ghee used in its preparation. This incident has sparked widespread outrage and raised serious concerns about food safety and the integrity of the religious institution. To investigate the matter thoroughly, the Andhra Pradesh government has constituted a special investigation team (SIT) led by Guntur range IG Sarvashresth Tripathi. The SIT comprises nine members, including Visakhapatnam DIG Gopinath Jatti, Kadapa SP V Harshavardhan Raju, and other subordinate officers.
The SIT’s primary objective is to unravel the circumstances surrounding the adulteration of ghee with animal fats, which was allegedly supplied to the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) by Tamil Nadu-based AR Dairy Foods Private Limited. The investigation will delve into various aspects, including the tender process adopted by the TTD for ghee procurement, the quality parameters followed by the trust, and any potential irregularities or lapses in the supply chain. It is believed that the tender guidelines might have been altered by the previous TTD administration during the YSRCP regime to favor certain ghee suppliers, ultimately leading to the adulteration scandal. The SIT’s investigation is expected to shed light on this alleged manipulation of the tender process.
The SIT officials have formally met with TTD EO J Syamala Rao to gather information about the case. The TTD EO has briefed the SIT about the details of the investigation so far and provided them with the official report on the Laddu-ghee adulteration episode, which he had submitted to the state government. The investigation is expected to be extensive and thorough, covering all aspects of the case to ensure accountability and prevent future occurrences of adulteration. Public trust in the TTD and the sanctity of the Tirupati Laddu have been severely shaken by this incident, and the SIT’s findings will play a crucial role in restoring confidence and ensuring the safety of religious offerings.
Source: Tirumala Prasadam row: SIT intensifies probe into Tirupati Balaji Laddu-ghee adulteration case