Laddu Ghee Case: Separate DA Probe Against TTD Dy EO

Tirupati:The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) has registered a disproportionate-assets case against Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams’ deputy executive officer (in-charge) M. Lokanadham.

This is based on information shared by the CBI following its probe into the Tirumala laddu ghee adulteration case. The ACB registered the case under the Prevention of Corruption Act and conducted searches at four locations in Tirupati on Wednesday, including Lokanadham’s house in PK Layout and the residences of his relatives.

Teams led by ACB DSP Srinivasa Rao examined properties, financial records and other assets linked to Lokanadham and his family.

According to the ACB, the CBI shared information about the disproportionate assets of some TTD employees after completing its investigation into the ghee adulteration case and filing its charge sheet. Acting on the information, ACB’s Visakhapatnam unit registered a disproportionate-assets case against K. Chinna Appanna, then personal assistant to TTD chairman Y.V. Subba Reddy, on April 22, 2026.

Following further inquiry and collection of evidence, the ACB registered a separate DA case against Lokanadham. During the searches, the agency seized property documents and other material, including documents relating to a house in PK Layout and two house plots and a building in Gollavanigunta, all registered in his wife’s name.

Two other house plots, in Padiredu Aranyam village in Vadamalapeta mandal and Srinivasa Nagar in Tirupati Urban, were also identified.

The agency also found four fixed deposits in the names of Lokanadham and his son. Searches at the residences of his brothers-in-law yielded a property document jointly registered in the names of his wife and others, valued at `31.98 lakh.

The ACB also reported finding 2kg of gold, 6.5kg of silver and Rs 12.5 lakh in cash. The total value of assets identified so far has been put at approximately Rs 5 crore.

DSP Srinivasa Rao said the searches were continuing and the ACB was verifying the documents and assets to determine their value and compare them with Lokanadham’s known sources of income.

“Several documents, cash, gold and silver have been found in his possession. We have identified assets that appear to be beyond his known sources of income. The complete details, including the valuation and extent of disproportionate assets, will be announced after the searches and investigation are completed", he said.

Lokanadham joined the TTD as a junior assistant on compassionate grounds on February 1, 1989. He was subsequently promoted as senior assistant, superintendent and assistant executive officer before becoming deputy executive officer at TTD, Tirumala.