Maharashtra orders probe into alleged Siddhivinayak Temple donation theft

Mumbai, August 13, 2026: Rakhi Chavan, the newly appointed Executive Officer of the Shree Siddhivinayak Ganapati Temple Trust, assumed charge on Thursday, August 13, amid heightened scrutiny of the temple’s administration following allegations of irregularities in the handling of devotees’ donations.Chavan formally took over the responsibilities of the trust’s Executive Officer on Thursday. Her appointment follows the government’s decision to replace Veena More-Patil, who had faced allegations in connection with the administration of the temple trust. The government is also expected to appoint an Executive Secretary from the ministerial departments, with applications having been invited from interested officers.Scrutiny Intensifies Over DonationsThe change in the trust’s administrative set-up comes against the backdrop of allegations of large-scale misappropriation of donations. Maharashtra Navnirman Sena chief Raj Thackeray had alleged that around Rs 18 crore was being siphoned off annually from the temple’s donation collections.Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis subsequently ordered a probe into the allegations, while Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde directed Additional Chief Secretary Aseem Gupta to conduct an inquiry into the temple’s donations and accounts.The controversy follows an earlier theft case in March, when Dadar Police arrested a temple employee for allegedly stealing cash from donation boxes. CCTV footage reportedly showed the employee removing currency notes from a donation box kept in the priests’ room. Police had estimated the amount involved in that incident at around Rs 10,000 and were probing whether others were involved.Siddhi Entrance To Remain ClosedMeanwhile, the temple trust has announced that its Siddhi entrance will remain temporarily closed to devotees from August 17 to facilitate ongoing beautification and redevelopment work on the temple premises. During the period, devotees will be permitted to enter through the Riddhi entrance for darshan, said Deputy Executive Officer Sandeep Rathod.Also Watch: Siddhivinayak Temple Donation Theft Row Sparks Political Slugfest; Trust Chief Sada Sarvankar Alleges Accused Linked To Shiv Sena UBTThe beautification project was inaugurated on May 25 in the presence of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, Mumbai Mayor Ritu Tawde and Deputy Mayor Sanjay Ghadi, among others.The trust has appealed to devotees to cooperate with the arrangements during the project period.To get details on exclusive and budget-friendly property deals in Mumbai & surrounding regions, do visit: https://budgetproperties.in/

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis ordered a probe into alleged theft of temple donations. Officials will examine five years of donation records for significant collection changes. This follows Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde also ordering an inquiry into temple accounts. The Siddhivinayak Temple Trust had previously requested an audit of recent donation increases. Allegations of Rs 18 crore being siphoned annually were made by Raj Thackeray.

Maharashtra Navnirman Sena chief Raj Thackeray had alleged that donations worth Rs 18 crore were being embezzled from the shrine annually.

Siddhivinayak, which is counted among the wealthiest temples in India, has been surrounded by a controversy related to alleged donation theft

Allegations of missing donations at Mumbai's Siddhivinayak Temple have sparked political controversy. The temple trust itself uncovered irregularities and initiated police action. An audit of donation collections over the past two years has been called for. Several temple employees have been suspended over alleged VIP darshan facilitation. The Maharashtra law and judiciary department is examining the trust's report.

Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray has alleged that around Rs 18 crore in donations was being siphoned off annually from Mumbai’s Siddhivinayak Temple, days after a controversy over financial irregularities at the Ram Temple in Ayodhya. The Siddhivinayak Temple Trust, however, said the matter is already being investigated.Addressing an event organised by his party’s student wing, Thackeray claimed that Rs 1,400 crore had reportedly gone missing from the Ram Temple in Ayodhya and alleged that Siddhivinayak Temple was facing a similar problem.“Even temples are not safe these days,” Thackeray said, urging Prime Minister Narendra Modi to address the issue.He said young people often turn to temples for solace when frustrated with their circumstances, but alleged that corruption had now reached religious institutions as well.Mumbai: BMC Bans Paver Blocks On New Footpaths, Launches 'Pedestrian First' Drive To Reclaim 320 Km Of WalkwaysReading out a letter he claimed was written by eight trustees to Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, Thackeray alleged that some employees involved in stealing from the temple’s donation boxes were caught after trustees remained vigilant. He claimed weekly donations stood at less than Rs 50 lakh before the alleged theft was detected but increased to around Rs 1.5 crore afterwards.“Every year, Rs 18 crore was being stolen,” Thackeray alleged.Siddhivinayak Trust denies allegations, says ACB probe underwaySiddhivinayak Temple Trust chairman Sada Sarvankar questioned whether there was an attempt to deliberately damage the temple’s reputation. He said he had personally brought the wrongdoing to the attention of the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB), following which surveillance was conducted and traps were laid to identify those involved.The action resulted in the removal of trust officials seen behaving suspiciously on CCTV footage. The main accused, Rajan Pendulkar, was subsequently arrested along with nine associates. Sarvankar alleged that Pendulkar and the other accused had links with Sena (UBT) leader Vishakha Raut and other leaders from the faction.He said action had been taken against around 45 people in connection with the case, all of whom have since been suspended.'If Modi Has Made Everything So Great, Why Are You Settling Abroad?': Raj Thackeray Questions Vivek Oberoi, R. Madhavan Over Dubai Move At MNS Student Wing RallyResponding to the letter read out by Thackeray, Sarvankar clarified that the MNS chief had not specifically named him. “Let me make it very clear, Raj Thackeray had not particularly mentioned my name,” Sarvankar said.He attributed the increase in donations to measures implemented by the current trust leadership.Defending his decision to approach the ACB, Sarvankar questioned whether he or his colleagues should resign for reporting the wrongdoing and helping secure the arrests of the employees involved.He also said the trustees had approached the Law and Judiciary Department, seeking a formal audit of the temple’s records.Trustee Rahul Londhe said the Law and Judiciary Department had sought a detailed report from the temple administration. The report will subsequently be submitted to the Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Ministers, he said.Maharashtra Dy CM Sunetra Pawar Receives EC Notice Over NCP Constitutional AmendmentsLondhe confirmed that an ACB inquiry was already underway and said the trust would also seek a CID probe into the matter.He further clarified that the trust had not written any letter to Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, raising questions over the identity and authenticity of the letter Thackeray had read out at the event.Londhe also called for an inquiry into Rs 10 crore allegedly allocated in 2019 for the Shiv Bhojan scheme by then trust president Adesh Bandhekar, reportedly at the request of then Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray. He sought clarity on how the funds were utilised and distributed.To get details on exclusive and budget-friendly property deals in Mumbai & surrounding regions, do visit: https://budgetproperties.in/