Tirupati laddu scandal: SIT seeks custody of businessman over 68 lakh kg of adulterated ghee worth ₹251.5 crore

Nellore (Andhra Pradesh): The Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the Tirupati laddu ghee adulteration case has sought the judicial custody of Delhi-based businessman Ajay Kumar Sugandh, alleging his role in supplying chemicals used in the large-scale adulteration of ghee meant for the temple’s sacred offerings.

Sugandh, listed as accused number 16 in the case, was arrested on November 7 for allegedly colluding with several others to adulterate ghee used in the preparation of Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) laddus.

According to the remand report filed before a local court, the investigation is at a “crucial stage”. It stated, “The investigation is in a crucial stage, and the accused may influence and threaten witnesses. Hence, this court may be pleased to remand Ajay Kumar Sugandh to judicial custody in the interest of justice.”

The SIT alleged that Sugandh, who owns Sugandh Oil and Chemicals in New Delhi, conspired with Pomil Jain and Vipin Jain — the main accused — to supply monoglycerides and acetic acid ester, which were used to adulterate ghee. These chemicals were sent to Harsh Fresh Foodz Pvt Ltd and Harsh Trading Company during the financial years 2022–23, 2023–24 and 2024–25.

Invoices were allegedly falsified to describe the chemicals as coconut oil, palm oil and palm kernel oil, which were then used at Bhole Baba Organic Dairy Milk Pvt Ltd, Bhagwanpur, to prepare adulterated ghee.

The remand report stated that the tainted ghee was supplied to the TTD through Sri Vyshnavi Dairy Specialities Pvt Ltd, Malganga Milk and Agro Products Pvt Ltd, and AR Dairy Food Pvt Ltd, eventually making its way into the consecrated Tirupati laddus.

The SIT accused Sugandh of being part of a criminal conspiracy to conceal the nature of the substances supplied and claimed he sold chemicals worth ₹8 crore under the guise of edible oils between FY23 and FY25. Investigators also alleged that Sugandh was uncooperative, withheld key information, and failed to produce his mobile phone to “cover up his misdeeds”.

The investigation further revealed that Pomil Jain and Vipin Jain, with the help of Hari Mohan, Sanjay Chouhan and Ashish Rohilla, produced adulterated ghee by blending palm oil, palm kernel oil and palmolein, along with small quantities of genuine ghee and chemical additives such as beta carotene, acetic acid ester, and ghee flavour to mimic authenticity in lab tests.

The SIT alleged that the accused fabricated production records at Bhole Baba Organic Dairy Milk without actually procuring milk or manufacturing genuine ghee. By diverting 57 lakh kg of refined oils, they allegedly produced over 68 lakh kg of adulterated ghee worth ₹251.5 crore, of which ₹137 crore worth (37 lakh kg) was sold to Vyshnavi Dairy Specialities — which in turn supplied it to the TTD.

The report added that some AR Dairy Food Pvt Ltd tankers, initially rejected by the temple body for failing quality checks, were later resupplied through Vyshnavi Dairy Specialities and subsequently accepted by the TTD.

The SIT described the case as a serious breach of trust, noting that the adulterated ghee had been used in the preparation of the sacred prasadams of Lord Venkateswara Swamy, an offence that has caused widespread public outrage.

PTI