Fake Ghee in Tirumala Laddu? SIT Points to a “Suspicious Role”?

Between 2019 and 2024, the Central Bureau of Investigation's Special Investigation Team (SIT), which was appointed by the Supreme Court, has stepped up its investigation into the supply of tainted and fake ghee used to make Tirumala laddu prasadam. The SIT is now concentrating on former TTD Chairman Y.V. Subba Reddy, who served from 2019 to 2023, after questioning former TTD Executive Officer A.V. Dharma Reddy. He was a major player in the scam, according to the investigation team, and he did nothing when the irregularities were discovered in 2022. Chinna Appanna, Subba Reddy's personal assistant, was previously arrested for allegedly accepting bribes and assisting contractors in supplying counterfeit ghee.

According to reports, Subba Reddy declined to appear before the SIT in Tirupati this week, citing health concerns. The investigative team, however, turned down his request and chose to question him on the 20th at his home in Hyderabad. His statement will be recorded by a team of officials who will also collect additional information about his involvement. Since SIT is adamant that Subba Reddy knew about the scam but did nothing about it, this questioning is seen as an important phase in the investigation.

Y.V. Subba Reddy is a close aide and relative of former Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy, so if the SIT names him as an accused, it could have significant political ramifications in Andhra Pradesh. The SIT has already requested Subba Reddy and his wife Swarnalatha Reddy's bank account information as part of the investigation. Authorities think that by questioning him, important financial connections connected to the illegal ghee supply scandal may be exposed.