Chargesheet Filed in Nellore
Nellore, Andhra Pradesh – On January 23, 2026, the CBI-led Special Investigation Team (SIT) filed a final chargesheet in the Tirupati laddu ghee adulteration case. It names 36 individuals, including TTD officials, dairy suppliers, and industry experts. The Anti-Corruption Bureau Court in Nellore accepted the chargesheet. Consequently, the trial phase officially began.
Legal Background and Case Details
The chargesheet is filed under Section 193 of the BNSS at the Court of Hon’ble Special Judge for SPE & ACB Cases-cum-II Additional District and Sessions Judge, Nellore. The case relates to FIR No. 470/2024-Tirupati East PS, dated September 25, 2024, and Charge Sheet Number SIT 01/2025, dated January 23, 2026.
The document lists offences under the BNS/IPC, including Section 61(2) for criminal conspiracy, Sections 274 and 275 for adulteration, and other sections related to cheating and forgery.
Forensic Evidence and Early Findings
Investigators reviewed forensic reports and audio recordings from Sri Vyshnavi Dairy. On August 1, 2024, Apurva V. Chavda (A-5) instructed P. Venkata Chalapathi to obtain favourable NABL Lab Reports for nine tankers at any cost.
Hawala transactions also emerged. Analysis of Gopal Wadhwa’s phone revealed communications and money transfers involving Deepak Jain, Nitin Kumar Agarwal, and Rishab Jain. Images of currency notes confirmed the transactions.
The investigation started after complaints by P. Murali Krishna, then GM of Procurement, regarding the laddu prasadam quality. Authorities issued warnings to ghee suppliers to improve standards.
Chemical Procurement and Bhole Baba Investigation
Investigators focused on Aristo Chemicals and Bhole Baba Organic Dairy Milk Pvt. Ltd (A-7). The directors of Bhole Baba (A-3, A-4, A-21, and A-22) purchased large amounts of lactic acid from Manish Gupta of Aristo Chemicals between 2019 and 2024. This chemical was used to produce adulterated ghee at the Bhagwanpur plant.
Pomil Jain (A-3) instructed staff to generate invoices in employee names instead of the company’s to hide their involvement. Aristo Chemicals supplied a total of 8,900 kg of lactic acid and LABSA/acid slurry.
Bhole Baba originally operated as M/s Harsh Fresh Dairy Products Private Limited, incorporated in 2012, and renamed in 2021.
Final Findings: Criminal Conspiracy Confirmed
The investigation confirmed that Pomil Jain (A-3), Vipin Jain (A-4), Sarika Jain (A-21), and Poonam Jain (A-22) conspired to supply adulterated ghee to TTD from 2019 to 2024.
They prepared ghee without sufficient milk or butter. Instead, they mixed refined palm oil, refined palm kernel oil, and refined palmolein with minimal actual ghee.
The accused used chemicals like beta-carotene, acetic acid ester, and ghee flavour to manipulate lab test results. NDDB CALF reports dated March 27, 2025, confirmed that samples were mostly vegetable oils with very little milk fat.
Massive Scale of Adulteration
Between FY 2022-23 and September 2024, Bhole Baba produced over 68 lakh kg of adulterated ghee. These batches went to TTD for laddu preparation. As a result, the scandal shook public trust in the temple’s offerings.
Impact on Devotees and Governance
TTD chairman B.R. Naidu stated that around 11 crore pilgrims consumed these laddus between 2019 and 2024. The Tirupati laddu, which has Geographical Indication protection and nearly 300 years of history, remains a sacred temple symbol.
The Andhra Pradesh government ordered a judicial inquiry to find the masterminds behind the scam. CM Naidu approved the commission after discovering that tender conditions were manipulated between 2014 and 2019. Officials noted that contract terms relaxed after YSRCP assumed office in 2019.
Next Steps in Trial
The chargesheet contains witness statements, documentary evidence, and material exhibits. Therefore, the court will examine them to determine guilt or innocence. The case raises serious questions about:
Transparency in public procurement
Quality control in religious institutions
Political interference in temple administration
Enforcement of food safety standards
Landmark Investigation Highlights
The CBI investigated 12 states over 15 months. This makes it one of India’s largest temple-related corruption probes. While clearing animal fat allegations, the investigation revealed a multi-year, multi-crore synthetic ghee racket. Private companies colluded with officials who were responsible for protecting temple offerings, shaking public trust in religious institutions.
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