The Enforcement Directorate has initiated an investigation by registering an ECIR in the Tirupati laddu adulteration case to look into allegations of money laundering. This action follows the filing of charge sheets by the CBI-led Special Investigation Team, prompting the ED to delve into hawala-based transactions and alleged bribery involving officials of the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam.
The ED’s probe will focus on tracing the money trail and scrutinizing the role of the hawala network in the entire affair. The case, which involves accusations of using shell companies for financial dealings amounting to around Rs 250 crore, centers on purported bribes paid to TTD officials to pass off substandard ghee as pure.
The investigation was set in motion after the Andhra Pradesh government announced a one-man committee to review the SIT’s report and take necessary administrative actions. Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu emphasized the need to identify lapses and assign accountability, signaling forthcoming actions based on the committee’s findings.
