The investigation into allegations that animal fat was used in Tirumala Srivari Laddu has brought a key development. The CBI-led Special Investigation Team (SIT) has stated in its additional charge sheet that there was no confirmed evidence of animal fat in the ghee used to prepare the famous Tirumala laddu.
The SIT submitted the additional charge sheet before a court in Nellore. It had also made a similar observation in its earlier main charge sheet, stating that laboratory tests did not establish the presence of animal fat in the ghee.
NDRI Tests Found No Animal Fat
According to the SIT investigation, samples were collected from four ghee tankers belonging to AR Dairy and sent to the National Dairy Research Institute (NDRI) in Haryana for testing.
The test results did not establish the presence of animal fat in the samples, the SIT stated.
The investigation team also examined ghee samples linked to Bole Baba Dairy at the Central Food Technological Research Institute (CFTRI) laboratory in Mysuru. These tests too did not confirm the presence of animal fat.
SIT Finds No Scientific Evidence of Ghee Adulteration
The SIT had made a similar observation in its earlier investigation report. It said there was no scientific evidence to establish that the ghee used in the preparation of Tirumala Srivari Laddu contained animal fat.
The findings have once again drawn attention to the difference between the allegations surrounding Tirumala laddu ghee adulteration and the results of the scientific tests conducted during the investigation.
The latest findings are therefore significant in the ongoing Tirumala laddu ghee controversy, particularly regarding the claims of animal fat being used in the preparation of the temple prasadam.
