Archive · 10 Dec 2025
TTD Scandals: Laddu-Ghee Adulteration and Dupatta Fraud
Two people were arrested in Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh, for allegedly mixing bad stuff in the ghee used to make the famous Tirumala laddus.
One of them is a trader from Delhi, and the other is a manager from the TTD, which runs the temple.
They were taken to the hospital for a check-up and then to a special office for questioning.
Earlier, another person from TTD was also arrested for the same reason.
The Supreme Court had to step in because there was a disagreement about who should investigate this case.
The TTD also sent legal notices to some companies that were selling fake Tirupati laddus online.
Additionally, a big scam was found where a contractor supplied cheap polyester dupattas instead of the expensive pure silk ones that were supposed to be used in the temple.
This scam happened over ten years and cost the temple a lot of money.
The TTD has now asked a special team to investigate this scam.
Two individuals, Ajay Kumar Sugandh and Subrahmanyam, were arrested in the Tirupati Laddu-Ghee adulteration case.
Subrahmanyam is a General Manager in the TTD Procurement Department, responsible for procuring materials like ghee.
The arrested individuals underwent medical examinations at Tirupati Ruia Hospital and were taken to the SIT office for interrogation until December 12.
A Rs 54 crore silk 'dupatta' scam was revealed, where a contractor supplied polyester dupattas instead of pure mulberry silk over a decade.
The TTD Trust Board has cancelled all existing tenders with the firm involved in the scam and referred the matter to the State Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) for investigation.
- Who
- Ajay Kumar Sugandh (Delhi-based trader), Subrahmanyam (TTD Procurement Department GM), BR Naidu (TTD Chairman), TTD Trust Board
- What
- Arrests in Tirupati Laddu-Ghee adulteration case and a Rs 54 crore silk 'dupatta' scam
- When
- Recent arrests, previous arrests in November and February 2025, scam duration from 2015 to 2025
- Where
- Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh
- Why
- Allegations of adulterated ghee used in Tirumala Srivari Laddu and fraudulent supply of polyester dupattas as pure mulberry silk
- Arrested Individuals
- Ajay Kumar Sugandh (Delhi-based trader), Subrahmanyam (TTD Procurement Department GM)
- Medical Examination
- Conducted at Tirupati Ruia Hospital
- Interrogation Duration
- Until December 12
- Previous Arrests
- Senior TTD engineering official in November
- Supreme Court Action
- Stayed Andhra Pradesh High Court order on September 26
- Legal Action Date
- June 6, 2024
- Unauthorized Entities
- PushMyCart (Mahita LLC), Transact Foods Limited
- Previous SIT Arrests
- Four individuals in February 2025
- Scam Duration
- 2015 to 2025
- Estimated Loss
- Rs 54 crore
- Material Involved
- Polyester dupattas billed as pure mulberry silk
- Investigation Body
- State Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB)
