Tirupati laddus scam: Trader supplied chemicals to fake ghee

India Nov 10, 2025

A major scam has come to light around the famous Tirupati laddus.
Ajay Kumar Sugandha, a trader from Delhi, was arrested after being accused of supplying chemicals used to fake the ghee in these holy sweets.
He reportedly worked with Bholebaba Dairy directors for years, supplying chemicals used to adulterate ghee.

Over 90% of ghee was adulterated

Investigators found that over 90% of the ghee used in Tirupati laddus was actually mixed with palm oil and synthetic chemicals—many of which were imported from South Korea and supplied by Sugandha.
Forensic tests confirmed these fake ingredients, and now the SIT is digging deeper to find others involved in this large-scale operation.