The Tirupati laddu ghee case has widened significantly as the Enforcement Directorate carried out coordinated searches at 15 locations across seven states. The action marks a deeper phase of investigation into alleged money laundering linked to the supply chain of ghee used in offerings at Tirupati Balaji Temple.

Officials said the raids uncovered cash, property documents, and evidence of large-scale financial transactions suspected to be part of a structured laundering network. The case now spans multiple business hubs across India.

Multi-state coordination

The enforcement action covered key cities including Delhi, Mumbai, Dehradun, Guntur, Dindigul, Roorkee, and Ahilyanagar.

According to officials, the Tirupati laddu ghee case probe is no longer confined to regional supply concerns but is now tracking financial flows across multiple states and sectors. Teams examined banking records, business ledgers, and digital transaction trails during the searches.

Bikaner search operation

A significant development emerged from Bikaner, where ED officials searched the residence and office of ghee trader Ashish Agarwal in Koyla Gali. The team examined financial documents and business records for several hours.

Sources indicated that investigators are verifying whether funds linked to the Tirupati laddu ghee case were routed through trading firms to mask their origin. However, no formal seizure details specific to the Bikaner premises have been officially disclosed.

Cash and assets seized

During the raids, investigators recovered around ₹60 lakh in cash from various locations. Preliminary findings suggest that investments and assets worth over ₹45 crore may be linked to suspected proceeds of crime.

The Tirupati laddu ghee case has now entered a crucial phase where asset tracing and financial mapping are central to the probe. Authorities are examining bank accounts, investment portfolios, and property holdings connected to individuals under scrutiny.

Property records examined

Officials also seized documents related to multiple immovable properties registered in the names of accused persons and their family members. These records are being analysed to determine ownership structures and possible benami arrangements.

Investigators suspect that layered financial transactions were used to integrate unaccounted money into legitimate business channels linked to the Tirupati laddu ghee case.

Alleged laundering network

Preliminary assessment points to the use of fake purchase and sales invoices to generate and circulate unaccounted income. The ED suspects that multiple entities across states were involved in creating a structured financial web.

The Tirupati laddu ghee case is now being examined as part of a broader money laundering framework, where legitimate supply chains may have allegedly been misused for financial layering.

Temple supply scrutiny

The controversy initially began with concerns over the quality of ghee used in offerings at Tirupati Balaji Temple. However, it has now evolved into a wider financial investigation involving multiple agencies.

Officials are also reviewing procurement contracts and vendor records to establish whether irregularities existed in the supply chain and financial routing.

Tirupati Laddu Row: Panel Flags Ghee Irregularities

The Tirupati laddu controversy deepens as a member committee report alleges 70 lakh kg ghee was procured without mandatory checks, raising concerns over safety and governance.

Massive procurement lapses

Hyderabad: A member inquiry committee has flagged serious irregularities in the procurement of ghee used in the iconic Tirupati laddu prasadam, pointing to systemic failures within the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD). The panel’s findings suggest that nearly 70 lakh kilograms of ghee was purchased without adhering to mandatory quality checks, with some batches reportedly used even before laboratory verification.

According to officials familiar with the report, these lapses were not isolated. The committee has described the issue as indicative of deeper administrative breakdowns and possible collusion among stakeholders involved in the procurement chain.

Adulteration concerns flagged

The report notes that several ghee samples tested positive for Sitosterol, a compound typically associated with vegetable oil adulteration. A lab report dated August 3, 2022, had already indicated contamination. However, the committee observed that no decisive action followed.

Despite evidence pointing to adulteration, the procurement process continued uninterrupted. Suppliers linked to questionable batches were neither blacklisted nor penalised, raising concerns about enforcement gaps.

Officials said the continued use of such ghee directly compromised both public health and religious sanctity, given the laddu’s significance for devotees visiting the Tirumala temple.

Former EO under scanner

The panel has held former TTD Executive Officer AV Dharma Reddy primarily responsible for weakening procurement safeguards. It alleges that tender rules were diluted under his watch, allowing questionable suppliers to remain in the system.

The report also claims that despite confirmed adulteration, no corrective steps were initiated. However, Dharma Reddy has earlier maintained that all procurement decisions were taken collectively and in accordance with contractual norms.

Tender norms diluted

One of the key findings relates to the structure of the procurement process itself. The committee observed that unusually low bids were accepted, often making it economically unviable to supply pure ghee.

In several instances, prices were reportedly revised downward through informal negotiations after tenders were finalised — a move that contravenes standard procedures. The panel believes this created an environment where adulteration became more likely.

Additionally, mandatory food safety protocols were allegedly ignored. Even after Sitosterol testing became compulsory from July 1, 2022, it was not fully integrated into TTD’s procurement practices during that period.

Network and supply chain issues

The committee has also pointed to the presence of an organised network. According to its findings, a major supplier continued operations through intermediary dairies even after being disqualified.

This workaround, the panel noted, exposed significant loopholes in monitoring mechanisms. It suggests that enforcement failures allowed such practices to persist without scrutiny.

Wider accountability questioned

The inquiry has widened its scope beyond administrative officials. The role of the purchase committee is under examination, with allegations against political figures including Chevireddy Bhaskar Reddy and Bhumana Karunakar Reddy.

The report states that decisions taken collectively by the committee contributed to the dilution of safeguards. Both leaders, along with other members, were part of the decision-making process that allegedly relaxed tender norms.

Political backdrop

The controversy gained traction after Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu accused the previous YSRCP government of allowing adulterated ghee to be used in laddu preparation between 2019 and 2024.

The YSRCP, however, has dismissed these allegations as politically motivated, calling for an impartial review of the findings.

Next steps awaited

The committee, formed in February 2026 and led by retired IAS officer Dinesh Kumar, has recommended strict disciplinary action against those found responsible. It has also called for systemic reforms to plug procedural gaps and ensure compliance with food safety standards.

While the report has laid out a detailed account of alleged irregularities, no major action has been publicly announced so far. Officials indicated that further review and consultations are likely before any punitive measures are taken.

The Tirupati laddu controversy continues to draw attention, with its implications spanning faith, governance, and food safety — issues that are unlikely to fade soon.

Navy Employee Kills Girlfriend, Dismembers Body in Visakhapatnam

Visakhapatnam Horror: Married Navy staffer Chintada Ravindra allegedly murders paramour Polipalli Mounika, chops body into pieces and stores parts in fridge before surrendering to police.

Gruesome Murder in Gajuwaka

A 35-year-old Navy employee posted at INS Dega allegedly killed his girlfriend at his residence in LV Nagar, Gajuwaka area of Visakhapatnam on Sunday evening. Police said the accused, Chintada Ravindra, dismembered the body into three parts, stored some in a refrigerator and a sack under the bed, and burned the head in a deserted spot on the city outskirts.

Argument Turns Deadly

Ravindra had called 29-year-old Polipalli Mounika to his house in the afternoon while his wife was away at her parental home in Vizianagaram. Sources indicated that an argument broke out between the couple in the evening. According to preliminary police investigation, Ravindra stabbed or smothered Mounika to death during the heated exchange. He later purchased a knife, reportedly through an online order, to carry out the dismemberment.

Body Parts Hidden at Home

After the crime, Ravindra cut the body into three pieces. One portion was placed in the refrigerator, another packed in a sack and kept under the bed, while the head was taken to an isolated area near Dharapalem and burned along with the victim's phone. When police reached the flat following his confession, they recovered the remains from the house. A special team has been formed to locate any missing parts.

Five-Year Relationship

The pair had been in a relationship for about five years after connecting on a dating app in 2021. They reportedly met at various locations across Visakhapatnam. Police said Ravindra claimed Mounika had taken around ₹3.5 lakh from him over time and often threatened to expose their affair to his wife, leading to frequent disputes. His wife had left for her maternal home a few days prior to the incident, giving him the opportunity to call Mounika home.

Accused Surrenders to Police

In a surprising turn, Ravindra walked into the Gajuwaka police station himself late on Sunday night and confessed to the murder. Officers immediately took him into custody and registered a case of murder. He is currently being interrogated. A senior police official said the investigation is underway to establish the full sequence of events and recover all evidence.

Shocking Details Emerge

Investigators found the crime scene undisturbed except for the hidden remains. The accused, a native of Rajam in Vizianagaram district, worked as a technician at the naval base. Neighbours reported no unusual activity during the day, highlighting how the incident remained concealed until the surrender.

Comparison to Shraddha Walkar Case

This gruesome killing has drawn parallels to the 2022 Shraddha Walkar murder in Delhi, where Aftab Poonawala strangled his live-in partner, chopped her body into 35 pieces, stored some in a refrigerator, and disposed of others over weeks. While the scale differs, both cases involve dismemberment and refrigeration of body parts in domestic settings, raising concerns over such brutal crimes in relationships gone wrong.

Impact on Local Community

The incident has sent shockwaves through Visakhapatnam, particularly in the Gajuwaka area close to naval establishments. Residents expressed concern over safety and the growing instances of violence stemming from personal relationships. The case has also put the spotlight on the personal lives of defence personnel, though officials maintained it was an isolated incident unrelated to service duties.

Police Investigation Continues

A dedicated team is now piecing together digital evidence, financial transactions, and call records. Forensic experts are examining the recovered body parts. Authorities have appealed for anyone with information to come forward. Ravindra remains in police custody as questioning proceeds to determine the exact motive and timeline.

What Lies Ahead

Further details are expected as the probe deepens in the coming days. The case will likely see charges under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code, with possible additional charges depending on forensic findings. Police have assured a thorough and transparent investigation to bring closure to the victim's family.

This developing story continues to unfold, with authorities focusing on collecting concrete evidence while the city grapples with the horrific details.