# ED arrests ghee supplier in Tirupati Laddu adulteration case

2026-09-19T08:07:02+00:00 | Governance | Indian Opinion Desk

Corroboration: 3 independent outlets

The Enforcement Directorate has arrested Kailash Chand Mangla, promoter of Sukriti Foods, in connection with the alleged supply of adulterated ghee to the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD). The ED claims ghee used for Tirupati Laddu prasadam was manufactured using refined palm oil, palm kernel oil, palmolein and chemicals, and supplied as genuine cow ghee. The fraudulent supplies between 2019 and 2024 were valued at Rs 230 crore, with Rs 96 crore of adulterated ghee allegedly produced by Mangla. Mangla was arrested on September 17 under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act and produced before a special court in Visakhapatnam, which remanded him to judicial custody. The ED alleges he coordinated supplies through front entities and maintained false records to conceal the fraud. Earlier, the agency arrested Vipin Jain, promoter of Bhole Baba Organic Dairy Milk, on similar charges. Livemint and Economic Times report these details factually, while m9.news notes the ED report does not mention animal fat, and says YSR Congress is missing the point on the adulteration.

## Indian Opinion Analysis

The m9.news coverage focuses on political blame, framing the YSR Congress as deflecting responsibility for contract alterations, while neutral outlets like Livemint and Economic Times report the ED's allegations without commentary. The critical framing on m9.news omits the ED's specific claims about chemicals and supply chains, instead arguing the opposition is missing the real issue of adulteration. The balanced reading is that the ED's arrest establishes a formal allegation, but the political context around TTD contracts and prior management remains separate from the criminal probe. The outcome hinges on judicial scrutiny of evidence in the PMLA court. Key facts are reported uniformly: the arrest, the Rs 230 crore figure, and the chemical composition alleged by the ED.

## Coverage

- m9.news (government critical) <https://www.m9.news/politics/ttd-ghee-case-sukriti-foods-promoter-arrest/>
  Frames YSR Congress as missing point, blames it for contract alterations
- livemint.com (neutral report) <https://www.livemint.com/news/india/ttd-news-who-is-kailash-chand-manglam-ed-arrests-supplier-in-tirupati-laddu-ghee-adulteration-case-11789797565844.html>
  Straight news agency reporting of ED statement and arrest details
- economictimes.indiatimes.com (neutral report) <https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/cons-products/food/tirupati-laddu-controversy-ghee-maker-arrested-for-using-adulterated-ingredients-including-palm-oil-and-chemicals/articleshow/134349980.cms>
  Reports ED allegations factually without editorialising
- m9.news (government critical) <https://www.m9.news/politics/jagan-ysrcp-ttd-ghee-case-ed-findings/>
  Frames YSR Congress as missing point, blames it for contract alterations

Tags: Enforcement Directorate, Kailash Chand Mangla, Sukriti Foods, Tirupati Laddu, TTD
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