Tirupati Laddu Case: ED Arrests Promoter
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has arrested Sukriti Foods promoter Kailash Chand Mangla in connection with its money laundering probe into the alleged adulteration of ghee used to prepare Tirupati Laddu prasadam. The agency said Mangla was arrested by its Hyderabad office on September 17 in connection with the Tirupati Laddu ghee adulteration case.
Mangla was later produced before a special Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) court in Visakhapatnam. The court sent him to judicial custody, according to the ED.
The arrest is part of the agency’s investigation into alleged fraudulent supplies of ghee to the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD), which manages the Tirumala temple and the preparation of Tirupati Laddu prasadam.
Tirupati Laddu Ghee Allegedly Made With Palm Oil
According to the ED, ghee supplied to TTD as Agmark Special Grade Cow Ghee was allegedly manufactured using refined palm oil, palm kernel oil and palmolein.
The agency also alleged the use of chemicals including MG-90, monoglycerides, Myvacet Soft 400 and acetic acid ester in the manufacturing process.
The ED has alleged that these ingredients were used to manufacture adulterated ghee, which was subsequently supplied to TTD as genuine cow ghee for use in Tirupati Laddu prasadam.
The allegations relate to supplies made between 2019 and 2024. The agency has estimated the value of the alleged fraudulent ghee supplies to TTD at around Rs 230 crore.
Rs 96 Crore Adulterated Ghee Allegation
The ED claimed that adulterated ghee worth approximately Rs 96 crore was manufactured by Mangla at his factory premises.
The agency described Mangla as one of the alleged co-conspirators in the case and said he facilitated the procurement of adulterants used in manufacturing the ghee.
The investigation also alleges that Mangla coordinated the supply of the disputed ghee through several front entities, including Sri Vyshnavi Dairy Specialities, Malganga Milk & Agro Products and A.R. Dairy Foods.
According to the agency, the alleged network was used to supply the adulterated product to TTD while presenting it as genuine cow ghee intended for Tirupati Laddu.
ED Alleges False Records Were Created
The federal agency further alleged that Mangla created and maintained false records relating to the sale and purchase of ghee and refined palm oil.
The ED said the alleged records were created to conceal the actual use of adulterants and give the appearance of legitimate production and supply of genuine cow ghee.
The allegations are part of the ED’s money laundering investigation into the Tirupati Laddu ghee adulteration case.
Another Promoter Arrested Earlier
Mangla is the latest promoter arrested in the investigation. The ED had earlier arrested Vipin Jain, promoter and director of Bhole Baba Organic Dairy Milk, on similar charges.
With Mangla now in judicial custody, the agency has said its probe has found alleged use of adulterants in supplies made to TTD as cow ghee for preparing Tirupati Laddu prasadam.
The investigation remains underway as the ED continues to examine the alleged network involved in manufacturing, documenting and supplying the disputed ghee.
