A fresh development in the Tirupati Laddu ghee adulteration case has brought the issue back into focus after the Enforcement Directorate (ED) arrested Kailash Chand Mangla, promoter of Sukriti Foods, in connection with its money-laundering investigation into the alleged supply of adulterated ghee to the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD).
The ED arrested Mangla on September 17, 2026, through its Hyderabad Zonal Office. He was subsequently produced before a Special Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) court in Visakhapatnam, which sent him to judicial custody.
What Did the ED Allege About the Tirupati Laddu Ghee?
According to the ED, its investigation found that the ghee allegedly supplied for preparing Tirupati Laddu prasadam was manufactured using refined palm oil, palm kernel oil and palmolein instead of being genuine cow ghee.
The agency also alleged the use of several chemical substances, including MG-90, monoglycerides, Myvacet Soft 400 and acetic acid ester. The resulting product was allegedly supplied to TTD as “Agmark Special Grade Cow Ghee.”
The allegations relate to ghee supplies made to TTD between 2019 and 2024, which the ED has valued at approximately ₹230 crore. Of this amount, the agency alleges that around ₹96 crore worth of adulterated ghee was manufactured by Mangla.
ED Alleges False Records Were Maintained
The agency has further alleged that Mangla helped procure adulterants and manufactured the alleged adulterated ghee at his factory.
The ED also claims that supplies were coordinated through several entities, including Sri Vyshnavi Dairy Specialities, Malganga Milk & Agro Products and A.R. Dairy Foods.
Investigators have additionally alleged that false purchase and sales records relating to ghee and refined palm oil were maintained to conceal the alleged use of adulterants and create the appearance of legitimate production of genuine cow ghee.
Important Update on the Animal-Fat Claim
The latest ED findings specifically refer to palm-based oils and chemical additives. They do not establish that animal fat was present in the ghee discussed in the current ED investigation.
A CBI-led Special Investigation Team had earlier reported that laboratory testing did not establish the presence of animal fat in the samples examined. The SIT’s investigation described the alleged adulteration primarily in terms of palm oil and related substances.
The investigation remains ongoing, and the allegations made by the ED will be subject to further legal proceedings.
The latest arrest adds another significant development to the long-running controversy surrounding the procurement and quality of ghee used in the preparation of the famous Tirupati Laddu prasadam.
