SIT Begins Investigation Into Tirupati Laddu Adulteration Case, Meetings Held with TTD Officials

The Special Investigation Team (SIT), appointed by the state government to probe the Tirupati Laddu adulteration case, has officially commenced its investigation. The SIT, led by Guntur Range Inspector General Sarvasreshta Tripathi, arrived in Tirupati on Saturday to initiate the inquiry. Upon arrival, the team held key discussions with officials from the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) procurement department and the Tirupati East police station, where a formal complaint had been filed against AR Dairy, a Tamil Nadu-based supplier.

Inspector General Sarvasreshta Tripathi also met with TTD executive officer J. Syamala Rao to further review the case and outline the course of the investigation. The SIT was officially formed last Tuesday, and it consists of prominent officers such as Visakha Range DIG Gopinath Jetti and Kadapa SP S. Harshvardhan, among others. Notably, DIG Jetti has prior experience working with the TTD, having previously served as its chief vigilance officer, which provides him with relevant expertise to address the ongoing inquiry.

The SIT team also includes Tirupati ASP Venkatrao, DSP Seetharama Rao, and several Circle Inspectors, including Shiva Narayana Swamy, Uma Maheswar, Surya Narayana, and Satyanarayana. The team has temporarily stationed itself in Tirumala and is expected to remain for the next few days as they delve deeper into the allegations surrounding the adulteration of Lord Sri Venkateswara Swamy’s laddu prasadam.

Before beginning their formal investigation, the SIT chief and his team sought divine blessings by having darshan of Lord Venkateswara. As part of the inquiry, the team inspected the laddu preparation site, also known as the “potu,” and conducted a series of meetings at Annamayya Bhavan with relevant TTD officials.

The investigation comes amid political tension between the ruling NDA and the opposition YSRC, with both parties expressing concern over the incident. The SIT aims to meticulously examine the allegations of poor-quality ghee being used in the preparation of the sacred laddu, which is offered to devotees as prasadam. As part of the probe, the team will also trace the procurement channels of the Tamil Nadu-based ghee supplier to uncover potential lapses.

The outcome of this investigation is eagerly awaited by devotees and the public, as the sanctity of the Tirupati Laddu, an iconic symbol of devotion, is held in the highest regard.