The SIT appointed by the Supreme Court has filed its chargesheet in the Tirumala Laddu Scam. The probe concluded that the ghee supplied to the TTD did not contain animal fat and was fully chemical-based.
According to the SIT, Chinnappanna, who served as PA to the then TTD Chairman YV Subba Reddy, was involved in the scam. Some lower-level TTD officials and dairy owners supplying adulterated ghee were also named.
However, the investigation has raised serious doubts. The chargesheet fails to identify the real masterminds or the final beneficiaries behind the operation.
The scam is estimated to be worth Rs. 250 Crore. Chinnappanna allegedly earned Rs. 25 per kilo of ghee supplied to TTD.
This leads to several unanswered questions. Why would dairy owners bribe someone who was only the Chairman’s PA?
Either they believed he could secure supply contracts, or they feared he could block them. But could a contract employee truly wield such power within TTD?
Could Chinnappanna influence inspections or disqualify dairies refusing to pay bribes? Could he ensure tenders were awarded to those who complied?
More importantly, would dairy owners believe this was possible without backing from influential figures?
It is surprising that the SIT did not focus on identifying the real power behind Chinnappanna. To many observers, he appears to be just a pawn in the scam.
Ultimately, all approvals and decisions were made by the then TTD Board. This raises further concerns about accountability.
The SIT earlier noted in Chinnappanna’s remand report that Bhole Baba Dairy director Pomil Jain had complained to YV Subbareddy about a demand of Rs. 25 per kilo. This detail was omitted from the chargesheet.
Questions also remain about Chinnappanna’s disproportionate assets. The chargesheet does not clarify where the money went or who benefited from it.
