Tirumala Hit by ₹54-Crore Fake Silk Dupatta Scam After Previous Scandals Emerge
Third mega-scam in 18 months rocks world’s richest temple.
The Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams has been struck by another massive financial scandal as vigilance officials exposed a decade-long ₹54-crore fraud in which contractors supplied thousands of pure polyester dupattas while falsely claiming they were premium silk-polyester blends meant for adorning Lord Venkateswara. The deception ran from 2015 to 2025 and involved roughly 15,000 pieces procured at ₹1,389 each.
Tests conducted by the Central Silk Board in Bengaluru and an independent laboratory in Surat confirmed the garments contained no natural silk whatsoever. Forged quality certificates and manipulated sample submissions enabled the counterfeit fabric to repeatedly pass internal verification, inflicting an estimated loss exceeding ₹54 crore on the temple trust.
TTD Chairman BR Naidu admitted serious irregularities in the procurement department and declared the matter has been handed over to the Andhra Pradesh Anti-Corruption Bureau for criminal investigation. Several senior purchase officials, storekeepers and the main contractor have been suspended while a comprehensive forensic audit of all silk tenders issued over the past ten years is underway.
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This marks the third major controversy to engulf the world’s richest Hindu shrine within 18 months. In September 2024, claims that sacred laddus contained animal fat triggered nationwide anger and led to a Supreme Court-monitored CBI probe into ghee procurement. Previously, in April 2023, a counting clerk was caught stealing crores from the Srivari Hundi donation box.
With annual donations surpassing ₹4,000 crore and the faith of millions hanging in the balance, devotees and political leaders are demanding a full judicial inquiry, complete digitisation of all purchases and compulsory third-party testing for every item used in temple rituals to end repeated desecration at Tirumala.
Also Read: Tirumala Laddu Scam: SIT Records Statement of YV Subba Reddy for Eight Hours
