₹55-Cr Tirupati Scam: Polyester Shawls Sold as Pure Silk

BY PC Bureau

December 10, 2025: The Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD), which manages the world-famous Tirumala Venkateswara Temple in Andhra Pradesh, has uncovered a massive, decade-long procurement fraud involving “Pattu Sariga” dupattas—ceremonial silk shawls traditionally presented to major donors, dignitaries, and participants in rituals such as Vedasirvachanam (Vedic blessings).

Between 2015 and 2025, a single vendor and its sister firms allegedly supplied 100% polyester fabric while billing it as premium mulberry silk, causing an estimated loss of ₹54.95 crore to one of India’s richest religious institutions. The scam was exposed through an internal vigilance investigation ordered by TTD Chairman B.R. Naidu. It adds to a growing list of procurement and oversight failures at TTD, including adulterated ghee in laddu prasadam and thefts in the Parakamani (donation-counting) wing.

Key Details of the Fraud

Duration and Scale:
The irregularities stretched across ten years (2015–2025). During this period, the vendor supplied dupattas worth roughly ₹54.95 crore. In a recent order alone, TTD had approved the purchase of 15,000 dupattas at ₹1,389 each—indicating that the malpractice was still ongoing.

How the Fraud Worked:
Tender conditions mandated 100% pure mulberry silk woven with 20/22 denier silk yarn (warp and weft), a minimum resultant count of 31.5 denier, and precise measurements (2.25m × 1m, weighing 125–130g). Borders were to include Sanku, Chakra, and Namam motifs, along with “Om Namo Venkatesaya” printed in both Sanskrit and Telugu.

However:

• Laboratory tests confirmed the samples were “Polyester × Polyester” (100% synthetic).
• Mandatory silk authentication holograms were missing on every tested piece.
• Polyester dupattas costing about ₹350 were billed at silk prices of ₹1,300–₹1,389, massively inflating procurement costs.

• VIDEO | Vijayawada: Andhra Pradesh BJP official spokesperson S. Yamini Sharma lashes out at the previous YSRCP regime after reports revealed that the silk clothes offered to Lord Venkateswara Swamy at TTD were actually polyester. Sharma said that the National Silk Board and silk… pic.twitter.com/D7jJ7ifIIU

  — Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) December 10, 2025

The Vendor:
Nagari-based VRS Export and its sister concerns held a dominant share of TTD’s cloth supply contracts for years, raising concerns over collusion, weak vendor vetting, and possible internal facilitation.

Investigation and Evidence

The probe began when Chairman Naidu directed the vigilance wing to scrutinize compliance with tender norms. Samples were collected from the TTD warehouse in Tirupati and the Vaibhavotsava Mandapam in Tirumala, where ceremonial materials are stored.

READ: In Manipur, Murmu Will Offer No Healing Touch to Kuki-Zo Victims

Lab Tests:
Two accredited laboratories—the Central Silk Board (CSB) facility in Bengaluru and another in Dharmavaram—conducted independent tests, both confirming the polyester composition. The vigilance report also flagged possible sample-tampering in earlier internal checks.

Vigilance Findings:
The Chief Vigilance and Security Officer (CVSO) concluded that the supplier “cheated TTD by supplying cheaper polyester material” and recommended filing criminal charges. Evidence of potential interference during prior lab verifications was also noted.

Actions Taken by TTD

• Tenders Cancelled: All ongoing contracts with VRS Export and its affiliates have been cancelled.
• ACB Probe Sought: On December 9, 2025, the TTD Board passed a resolution urging the Andhra Pradesh government to order a full investigation by the State Anti-Corruption Bureau.
• Chairman’s Statement: “We have recommended an ACB probe… criminal action must be taken against anyone who misled the trust and devotees,” Chairman Naidu said.
• Future Safeguards: TTD plans to introduce stricter procurement protocols, including mandatory third-party lab testing and hologram-based authentication for silk products.

Broader Context and Related Scandals

The dupatta scam has intensified calls for structural reforms in TTD’s procurement processes. The trust, which manages billions in annual donations and supplies for millions of pilgrims, has faced several controversies in recent years:

These serial scandals have triggered political criticism, with opposition parties questioning the current administration’s handling of TTD. Devotees and civic groups are demanding greater transparency, digital tendering, and independent audits.