New Delhi: A major controversy has surfaced in Andhra Pradesh after revelations of large-scale fraud in the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam’s (TTD) procurement of shawls and dupattas. Items supplied for nearly a decade as “pure silk” were allegedly found to be synthetic, triggering demands for a full-fledged investigation.
According to TTD officials, shawls costing around ₹350 were billed at over ₹1,300, with total supplies crossing ₹50 crore. A vigilance probe revealed that the so-called mulberry silk products were actually made of polyester. An estimated loss of more than ₹54 crore is believed to have occurred between 2015 and 2025.
Tests conducted at Central Silk Board laboratories confirmed that the dupattas lacked authentic silk certification. TTD has requested that the matter be handed over to the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) for a detailed probe.
The issue has reignited political tensions. Former TTD Chairman Bhoomna Karunakar Reddy criticised the current coalition government, accusing it of damaging Hindu sentiments and using the Tirumala temple for political attacks against the previous administration. He alleged that inquiry reports have not been made public and claimed that the present TTD leadership failed to act responsibly.
This “dupatta scam” adds to a series of controversies surrounding TTD in recent years, including allegations of adulterated ghee used in laddu prasadam and the Parakamani (donations) theft case. Each incident has fueled further political confrontation between rival parties in the state.
