Hyderabad: Enforcement Directorate has intensified its probe into the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) ghee adulteration case, arresting a key businessman accused of manufacturing adulterated ghee allegedly supplied to the temple body, with investigators claiming his unit was responsible for supplies worth ₹96 crore.The ED’s Hyderabad zonal office arrested Kailash Chand Mangla, promoter of Sukriti Foods Private Ltd on Sept 17 under section 19 of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act. He was produced before the special PMLA court in Visakhapatnam, which remanded him to judicial custody.The money laundering investigation stems from an FIR registered by Tirupati East police alleging criminal conspiracy, cheating, forgery and corruption in connection with the supply of adulterated ghee to TTD.According to the ED, adulterated ghee was allegedly manufactured using refined palm oil, palm kernel oil, palmolein and chemicals such as MG-90, monoglycerides, Myvacet Soft 400 and acetic acid ester. The ED alleged that the product was supplied as Agmark special grade cow ghee intended for use by TTD.The ED said suspicious ghee supplies made to TTD between 2019 and 2024 were valued at ₹230 crore. Of this, adulterated ghee worth ₹96 crore was allegedly manufactured by Mangla’s unit.Investigators allege that Mangla played a key role in procuring adulterants and overseeing the manufacture of adulterated ghee at his factory. He is also accused of coordinating supplies through entities, including Sri Vyshnavi Dairy Specialities Private Ltd, Malganga Milk & Agro Products Pvt Ltd and AR Dairy Foods Pvt Ltd.The ED further alleged that false records relating to the buy and sale of ghee and refined palm oil were created and maintained to conceal the use of adulterants and portray the products as genuine cow ghee.Earlier, the ED had arrested Vipin Jain, promoter and director of Bhole Baba Organic Dairy Milk Pvt Ltd, who is alleged to have masterminded the manufacture and fraudulent supply of adulterated ghee to TTD.The ED said further investigation into the alleged adulteration and money laundering network is continuing.
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