No beef tallow or lard in Tirupati laddu: CBI reveals how ‘synthetic’ material was used to mimic ghee

['Nikhila Henry', 'Nikhila Henry Is An Assistant Editor At The Indian Express', 'Based In Hyderabad. With A Career Spanning Years', 'She Has Established Herself As An Authoritative Voice On South Indian Affairs', 'Specialising In The Complex Intersections Of Politics', 'Education', 'Social Justice. Experience', 'Career', 'Nikhila Commenced Her Journalism Career In As An Education Correspondent For The Times Of India In Hyderabad Where She Gained Recognition For Her Coverage Of Student Politics. Her Professional Trajectory Includes A Four-Year Tenure At The Hindu', 'Where She Focused On Minority Affairs'] The Indian Express 2026-01-30 07:05:21

In 2024, Andhra Pradesh CM N Chandrababu Naidu and his deputy Pawan Kalyan had ignited a debate by alleging that the sacred Tirupati laddu had been adulterated with “animal fat”. (file)The CBI has filed its final chargesheet in the Tirupati laddu adulteration case and has found that there was no beef tallow or lard in the ghee used to make the laddu prasadam between 2019 and 2024. The chargesheet was filed on January 23 before the Anti-Corruption Bureau court in Nellore. About 16 months ago, in 2024, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu and his deputy Pawan Kalyan had ignited a debate by alleging that the sacred Tirupati laddu had been adulterated with “animal fat”. A CBI special investigation team was set up to probe the matter following the intervention of the Supreme Court in October 2024.