Tirupati: Former Chairman of Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) and senior YSRC leader Bhumana Karunakar Reddy said on Thursday that the CBI-led Special Investigation Team (SIT) probe found no evidence of animal fat in the ghee used to make Tirumala laddus.
Speaking to the media, Karunakar Reddy said that the SIT, contrary to the allegations made by political opponents, has categorically denied the use of animal fat. He said the report proved that wherever adulteration occurred, it was due to collusion between some officials, dairy experts, and dairy management. He added that the investigating agency has held experts Vijayabhaskar Reddy and Surendra, who were associated with TTD since 2013, responsible for this.
Karunakar Reddy said that Premier Dairy and Alpha Dairy have been supplying ghee to TTD since 2013 and demanded a CBI inquiry for the entire period, including 2014-19, to bring out the complete truth. He said that former TTD Chairman Y.V. Subba Reddy had approached the Supreme Court for a CBI inquiry into the 2019-24 period to ensure transparency. He challenged Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu to conduct a similar inquiry for the earlier period as well.
Referring to the steps taken during the YSRC government, Karunakar Reddy said that between 2019 and 2024, 18 ghee tankers were rejected for not meeting quality standards, while 14 tankers have been rejected during the current government’s tenure. He said that tender rules were amended in 2021 as per the Central government’s instructions to encourage start-up companies.
He further added that the YSRC government had allocated ₹50 crore to the AP Dairy Development Corporation for the development of indigenous Gir and Sahiwal cattle and procured advanced beta-sitosterol testing machines through the National Dairy Development Board to strengthen quality checks. He said that ₹5.50 crore had been spent on new testing equipment to improve the standards of ghee.
Karunakar Reddy accused Naidu and Deputy Chief Minister K. Pawan Kalyan of spreading a false narrative for political gain. He alleged that the repeated claims, including those made after September 24, 2024, were intended to mislead devotees and incite religious sentiments.
