The CBI has informed the High Court that fake ghee made using palm oil and chemicals was used in the preparation of Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam (TTD) Laddu prasadam. The ghee was allegedly supplied by Bhole Baba Dairy, which has been identified as the main accused by the CBI Special Investigation Team (SIT).

CBI's investigation revealed that since Bhole Baba Dairy was blacklisted by TTD, it used two other dairies—AR Dairy and Vaishnavi Dairy—as fronts to continue the illegal supply. The SIT report stated that Bhole Baba Dairy does not even have proper milk collection or ghee production facilities, which local farmers have confirmed.

The CBI argued that fake ghee was made using only palm oil, chemicals, and other raw materials, and supplied through the two partner dairies. The agency also submitted WhatsApp chat records as supporting evidence. It stated that the fraud was carried out with a well-planned strategy.

During the hearing on the bail pleas of the accused, the CBI opposed bail, stating that the accused are financially and politically influential and are trying to tamper with the investigation and threaten witnesses.

One key witness, Sanjeev Jain, was allegedly attacked and threatened by the accused at Tirupati airport on April 7, 2025, and forcibly sent back to Delhi. Another accused, Ashish Rohilla, who was ready to confess, found that a petition was filed in his name in the High Court without his knowledge. He reportedly informed the High Court Registrar via email.

The CBI strongly argued against granting bail, stating it would pose a threat to witnesses and hinder the investigation.

On the other side, senior lawyers representing the accused—including C.V. Mohan Reddy and S. Sriram—claimed that the accused have already spent four months in jail, the SIT has filed a charge sheet, and all evidence is with the SIT. They also argued that AR Dairy alone had a contract with TTD and that Bhole Baba and Vaishnavi Dairy directors were not directly involved. The defense requested bail on health and legal grounds and assured they would follow any conditions set by the court.

The accused seeking bail include:

Raju Rajasekharan, MD of AR Dairy (Accused No. 2)

Pomil Jain, Director of Bhole Baba Organic Dairy (Accused No. 3)

Vipin Jain, Director of Bhole Baba Organic Dairy (Accused No. 4)

Apoorva Vinaykant Chawda, CEO of Vaishnavi Dairy (Accused No. 5)

After hearing arguments from both sides, Justice TCD Shekhar postponed the next hearing to June 17, 2025, at the request of the defense.