Mon Nov 25 07:54:06 UTC 2024: **SIT Investigation into Tirupati Laddu Ghee Adulteration Begins**
TIRUPATI, November 24, 2024 – A Special Investigation Team (SIT), appointed by the Supreme Court, has launched an investigation into allegations of adulterated ghee being supplied for the making of Tirupati Laddu prasadam. Although key SIT members have yet to arrive in Tirupati, the investigation has commenced under the supervision of four DSPs, with teams deployed to various locations.
Three teams, each led by a DSP, visited Vaishnavi Dairy, AR Dairy in Dindigul (Tamil Nadu), and SMS Lab in Chennai. The investigation focuses on AR Dairy, which has been accused of supplying adulterated ghee. The dairy presented a certificate from SMS Lab claiming the ghee’s purity, prompting the SIT to scrutinize the lab’s certification process and its methodology, including equipment age and technician qualifications. The SIT is questioning the lab’s procedures and expertise in food adulteration testing, including the identity of experts who certified AR Dairy’s ghee. The SIT is also investigating whether the lab sent samples elsewhere for testing.
Simultaneously, another SIT team inspected Vaishnavi Dairy, while another focused on AR Dairy. The investigations into both dairies are concentrating on their capacity, including establishment date, chilling centers, daily milk collection and processing capabilities, milk type (buffalo and cow), butter yield, and machinery age. The SIT is also investigating whether these dairies directly produce and supply ghee to the Tirupati Tirumala Devasthanams (TTD) or act as intermediaries. Preliminary findings suggest Vaishnavi Dairy lacks the capacity to supply ghee to the TTD.
Authorities seized relevant documents from both dairies. A 13-hour-long search of AR Dairy was conducted, involving 11 officials from Tirupati. The SIT is expected to deepen its questioning once key officials arrive, potentially focusing on expert testimonies and lab procedures.
First Piper 