Tirupati Prasad Case: Four Gwalior Traders Under Investigation By CBI For Supplying Ghee Mixed With Animal Fat

Gwalior (Madhya Pradesh): Four traders from Gwalior have come under the scanner of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in connection with the alleged use of animal fat in the prasad served at the famous Tirupati Balaji Temple.

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) team probing the adulteration of prasad at the famous Tirupati Balaji Temple has reached Gwalior on Sunday.

The team suspects that some of the ghee and oil used in the prasad—allegedly mixed with animal fat—was supplied by traders based in Gwalior’s Dal Bazaar area.

A four-member CBI and SIT team from South India arrived in the city two days ago. Their first stop was the Dal Bazaar, a hub of ghee and oil businesses. As soon as word spread about the investigation, panic set in. Some traders shut their shops, while others went missing.

The CBI served notices to several traders, asking them to appear for questioning. When some did not respond, the agency contacted Inderganj police for help. With assistance from CSP Robin Jain and Kotwali police station in-charge Mohini Mishra, the traders were brought in for questioning.

The CBI and SIT have been in Gwalior for two days. They are said to be focusing on a few specific traders, including Nitin Agarwal alias Monu from CP Trading Company in Maina Wali Gali, and businessmen Mohit Agarwal, Ajit Kumar, and Rakesh Kumar. All of them are involved in the ghee and oil business.

On the first day, the CBI served notices to these traders, but many of them disappeared and did not show up due to fear. After that, the CBI team contacted CSP Robin Jain and Kotwali police station in-charge Mohini Mishra for assistance. With police help, the traders were brought in for questioning.

According to sources, the CBI is likely to stay in Gwalior for another two to three days. Some individuals may be taken for further questioning. The case, which started in South India, has now expanded into North India, with Gwalior emerging as a key link in the supply chain of adulterated products used in temple offerings.