The ED has alleged that ghee supplied to the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams for preparing Tirupati Laddu prasadam was manufactured using refined palm oil, palm kernel oil, palmolein and chemicals, but was presented as “Agmark Special Grade Cow Ghee”.
The allegations are part of an investigation into the alleged fraudulent supply of adulterated ghee to TTD between 2019 and 2024.
According to the ED, the alleged fraudulent supplies during the period were valued at ₹230 crore. Of this, adulterated ghee worth ₹96 crore was allegedly manufactured by Kailash Chand Mangla, promoter of Sukriti Foods Pvt Ltd. The agency arrested Mangla on September 17 in connection with the case.
Palm Oils and Chemicals Allegedly Used
The ED has alleged that the ghee used for Tirupati Laddu prasadam was manufactured using refined palm oil, palm kernel oil and palmolein along with several chemicals. The agency specifically named MG-90, monoglycerides, Myvacet Soft 400 and Acetic Acid Ester among the substances allegedly used in the manufacturing process.
The resulting product was then allegedly supplied as “Agmark Special Grade Cow Ghee” for supply to TTD. The agency said the product was presented as cow ghee despite allegedly being manufactured with palm oils and the chemicals identified during its investigation.
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ED Alleges False Records and Front Entities
The ED described Mangla as one of the alleged co-conspirators and accused him of facilitating the procurement of adulterants and manufacturing adulterated ghee at his factory. It further alleged that he coordinated the supply through entities described by the agency as front entities.
The agency named Sri Vyshnavi Specialities Pvt Ltd, Malganga Milk and Agro Products Pvt Ltd and AR Dairy Foods Pvt Ltd in connection with the alleged supply arrangement.
According to the ED, Mangla also allegedly created and maintained false records relating to the sale and purchase of ghee and refined palm oil. The agency claimed these records were intended to conceal the actual use of adulterants and create the appearance of legitimate production and supply of genuine cow ghee.
The ED said Mangla’s alleged role extended to procuring the substances used as adulterants, manufacturing the product and coordinating its subsequent supply.
Sukriti Foods Promoter Arrested
The ED’s Hyderabad zonal office arrested Mangla on September 17 under Section 19 of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002. He was subsequently produced before the Special Court under the PMLA in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, which remanded him to judicial custody.
The ED said its investigation began on the basis of an FIR registered at Tirupati East Police Station. The FIR allegedly concerns criminal conspiracy, cheating, forgery and corruption linked to the fraudulent supply of adulterated ghee to TTD.
The agency had earlier arrested Vipin Jain, promoter and director of Bhole Baba Organic Dairy Milk Pvt Ltd, alleging that he was involved in orchestrating the manufacture and fraudulent supply of adulterated ghee to TTD.
The allegations against Mangla and others remain part of the ED’s ongoing investigation into the alleged adulteration and fraudulent supply of ghee.
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