CBI clears Tirupati laddu of animal fat, YSRCP demands apology from CM Naidu and Pawan Kalyan

The YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) on Thursday stepped up its attack on Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu and Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan, demanding a public apology after a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) chargesheet confirmed that no animal fat was used in the sacred Tirupati laddus.

Reacting sharply to details of the chargesheet that entered the public domain on Wednesday, the Opposition party said the findings had exposed what it described as a “false and damaging narrative” surrounding the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) prasadam.

Calling the development a vindication, YSRCP said the truth had finally emerged. “The CBI chargesheet makes it clear that no animal fat was used in TTD laddus. Those who misled devotees and hurt religious sentiments must now take responsibility,” the party said in a social media post, directly questioning when the Chief Minister and his deputy would apologise.

YSRCP spokesperson Karumuri Venkata Reddy alleged that a “major conspiracy” had now been laid bare. He cited laboratory findings by the ICAR–National Dairy Research Institute (NDRI), Karnal, and the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB), which tested ghee samples used for preparing the Tirumala Sri Vari Laddu Prasadam. According to him, the reports conclusively ruled out the presence of any animal fat.

The party accused Naidu and Pawan Kalyan of spreading unverified claims that ghee procured during the previous YSRCP government was adulterated with animal fat, arguing that such statements deeply hurt the faith of millions of devotees across the country.

The CBI, which headed a Special Investigation Team (SIT) formed following Supreme Court directions in October 2024, filed its final chargesheet in the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) court in Nellore on January 23. The agency relied on scientific analysis conducted by ICAR-NDRI.

As per the chargesheet, four sealed ghee samples drawn from tankers supplied by AR Dairy Food Private Limited in July 2024 were tested for lard and other animal fats using PCR-based methods. The laboratory report stated that no animal fat was detected in any of the samples.

However, the chargesheet also noted that while animal fat was absent, the ghee was found to be adulterated with a mix of vegetable oils and laboratory esters engineered to resemble dairy fat parameters.

YSRCP maintains that despite this finding, allegations of animal fat were irresponsible and politically motivated, reiterating its demand for an unconditional apology to devotees.