TTD Hit by ₹54-Crore Silk Shawl Scam as Decade-Long Polyester Substitution Exposed

The scam surfaced after the newly constituted TTD board, led by Chairman B.R. Naidu, flagged irregularities in the procurement of shawls used for key temple rituals, including the Vedasirvachanam, and presented to high-value donors as part of traditional honours. The subsequent internal probe traced a consistent pattern: the contractor repeatedly supplied 100% polyester material while raising invoices for silk, resulting in massive financial losses and a serious breach of trust.

According to officials familiar with the inquiry, the vigilance team verified that the shawls labeled as pure mulberry silk were, in fact, entirely synthetic. The findings indicate that the deception continued unchecked for ten years, bypassing quality checks and exploiting procurement loopholes. The investigation has prompted questions over procedural accountability and the effectiveness of long-standing oversight mechanisms within the institution.

The TTD administration is expected to take stringent action based on the inquiry report, with further scrutiny likely into how the malpractice persisted for such an extended period. As the temple trust moves to restore public confidence, the case underscores the vulnerabilities of large religious institutions to procurement fraud and the urgent need for stronger monitoring systems.