Tirupati News: ED Totals Rs 132.55 Crore in Ghee Case, IISER Ties Up With Melbourne, Stars Pray at Tirumala
Tirupati made news this week on three fronts: the Enforcement Directorate added a fresh round of asset attachments in the high-profile adulterated ghee case tied to the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams, IISER Tirupati announced a landmark academic partnership with the University of Melbourne, and film stars Vijay Deverakonda and Rashmika Mandanna offered prayers at the famous temple ahead of their upcoming film.
🗳️ ED Attaches Rs 129.85 Crore More in TTD Adulterated Ghee Case, Total Reaches Rs 132.55 Crore
The Enforcement Directorate has attached assets worth Rs 129.85 crore as part of its ongoing money laundering probe into the supply of adulterated ghee to the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams. With this latest round of attachments, the total value of assets seized, frozen, or attached under Section 17 of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act in connection with the case now stands at Rs 132.55 crore. The case centers on allegations that companies supplied substandard or adulterated ghee for use in the preparation of the famous Tirupati laddus — the sacred prasadam offered to devotees at the Tirumala Venkateswara Temple that holds immense religious significance for Hindu pilgrims worldwide. The ED's investigation has examined the financial transactions of companies implicated in the supply chain, with the agency also alleging the involvement of hawala dealings in payments made to ghee suppliers. The Tirupati ghee adulteration controversy provoked widespread public outrage when it first surfaced, given the deep religious sanctity associated with the laddus as prasad from one of the world's most visited temples. Authorities have continued to pursue the case energetically, as evidenced by the ongoing attachment proceedings under the PMLA. [1]
🎓 IISER Tirupati and University of Melbourne Launch 2+2 Dual Degree in Science
The Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Tirupati and the University of Melbourne have jointly announced the launch of a 2+2 dual degree program in science. Under the program, eligible Indian students will spend the first two years of their undergraduate education at IISER Tirupati and the remaining two years at the University of Melbourne in Australia, completing the requirements for degrees from both institutions. The arrangement allows students to earn two honours degrees — one from each institution — combining the academic rigor of IISER Tirupati, one of India's premier science research institutions, with the international exposure and globally recognized qualification that the University of Melbourne offers. Such dual-degree programs have grown in prominence as Indian universities expand their international partnerships, and this IISER Tirupati–Melbourne collaboration adds Tirupati to a growing list of Indian academic centers offering globally linked undergraduate pathways. For aspiring science students, the program creates a structured route to transition from India to Australia for the final two years of study, without restarting their degree, while gaining research experience at both campuses. The partnership was announced on October 14, 2026, and is expected to offer qualified students an exceptional platform for scientific careers with an international foundation. [7]
🎬 Vijay Deverakonda and Rashmika Mandanna Offer Prayers at Tirumala Before 'Ranabaali' Release
Telugu film stars Vijay Deverakonda and Rashmika Mandanna visited the Tirumala Venkateswara Temple on Tuesday, where they participated in the 'Suprabhata Seva' — an early morning prayer ritual that holds special significance at the renowned hilltop shrine. The visit by the couple, who married in February 2026, comes in the lead-up to the release of their upcoming film 'Ranabaali', directed by Rahul Sankrityan. It is a well-established tradition for Telugu film celebrities to visit Tirumala and seek the blessings of Lord Venkateswara before major releases, and the couple's pilgrimage follows this practice. Deverakonda and Mandanna's temple visit also follows their recent travel to Chennai, where they met with Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Joseph Vijay. That meeting drew considerable public attention given the Chief Minister's own celebrated background as a film star before his transition into politics. The couple's pilgrimage to Tirupati reinforces the temple's enduring role as a spiritual touchstone for people across the Telugu film fraternity and devotees from across India. The Tirumala Venkateswara Temple, located atop the Tirumala Hills at an elevation of around 850 metres, is consistently ranked among the most visited religious sites in the world. [9]
Sources: [1] The New Indian Express · [7] NDTV · [9] Inshorts