CBI Charge Sheet Clears Tirumala Laddu Ghee of Animal Fat

Scientific findings cited in Nellore court filing

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has stated in a charge sheet filed before a court in Nellore that no animal fat was found in the ghee used for preparing the Tirumala laddu prasadam. The filing records that laboratory tests conclusively ruled out the presence of pig fat, fish fat, or any other animal-derived fat in the samples examined.

The charge sheet notes that ghee samples were subjected to detailed analysis, including triglyceride profile tests, to verify their composition.

NDDB and NDRI reports referenced

According to the charge sheet, the samples were tested by the ICAR–National Dairy Research Institute (NDRI), Haryana, and the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB), Gujarat. Both institutions independently confirmed that the ghee used for laddu preparation did not contain animal fat.

The CBI stated that four ghee samples were analysed as part of the investigation and that the findings were consistent across all tests.

Political statements and counter-claims

The issue had triggered a political controversy following allegations made earlier by former Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu regarding the purity of the laddu prasadam. Those claims are now contradicted by the findings recorded in the charge sheet.

YSR Congress Party leaders said the CBI’s filing establishes that allegations of adulteration were unfounded. They argued that the matter was politicised despite the existence of laboratory reports.

Timeline of sample testing

The charge sheet records that the ghee samples forming the basis of the controversy were collected after Chandrababu Naidu assumed office as Chief Minister. The samples were sent to NDDB on July 17, 2024, and the board issued its report on July 23, 2024. The entire testing process took place during the tenure of the current coalition government.

The CBI has also recorded that the investigation does not name any YSRCP leaders or members of the previous government as accused in the case.

Procurement process under scrutiny

The filing further refers to the established procurement mechanism followed by the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD), which includes mandatory quality testing before ghee is approved for use. Samples failing quality checks are rejected at Tirupati itself and not allowed to reach Tirumala.

YSRCP leaders have demanded an end to what they term misinformation around the laddu prasadam and pointed to the CBI charge sheet as final clarification. Related political reactions and earlier protests were reported earlier by this publication in its coverage of demands to halt misinformation on the issue, available here.

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