The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has arrested Kailash Chand Mangla, promoter of Sukriti Foods, in a money laundering case linked to the alleged adulteration of ghee supplied for the preparation of Tirupati Laddu prasadam.
The federal agency said its investigation found that ghee supplied to the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) as Agmark Special Grade Cow Ghee was allegedly manufactured using refined palm oil, palm kernel oil, palmolein and various chemicals.
According to an ED statement, Mangla was arrested by the agency’s Hyderabad office on September 17 in connection with the case.
He was later produced before a special Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) court in Visakhapatnam, which sent him to judicial custody.
ED Alleges Use of Palm Oils and Chemicals
The agency alleged that the ghee supplied for Tirupati Laddu prasadam was manufactured using refined palm oil, palm kernel oil and palmolein.
It further claimed that chemicals including MG-90, monoglycerides, Myvacet Soft 400 and acetic acid ester were used in the manufacturing process.
The final product was then allegedly supplied to TTD as Agmark Special Grade Cow Ghee.
Alleged Supplies Worth Rs 230 Crore
According to the ED, the alleged fraudulent supply of ghee to TTD between 2019 and 2024 was valued at around Rs 230 crore.
The agency claimed that adulterated ghee worth approximately Rs 96 crore was manufactured by Mangla.
ED alleged that Mangla was one of the co-conspirators in the case and was involved in procuring adulterants and manufacturing the ghee at his factory premises.
Front Entities Allegedly Used for Supply
The agency further alleged that Mangla coordinated the supply of adulterated ghee through several entities, including Sri Vyshnavi Dairy Specialities, Malganga Milk & Agro Products and A.R. Dairy Foods.
According to the ED, false records relating to the purchase and sale of ghee and refined palm oil were also allegedly maintained.
The agency claimed these records were created to conceal the actual use of adulterants and make the production and supply appear to be that of genuine cow ghee.
Another Dairy Promoter Arrested Earlier
The ED had earlier arrested Vipin Jain, promoter and director of Bhole Baba Organic Dairy Milk, on similar allegations in the same case.
With Mangla now in judicial custody, the agency said its investigation is continuing into the alleged use of adulterants in ghee supplied for Tirupati Laddu prasadam.
The allegations remain subject to further investigation and judicial proceedings.
