Siddhivinayak Temple Admits ₹18 Cr Donation Gap, Calls for Probe!
Siddhivinayak Temple Admits ₹18 Cr Donation Gap, Calls for Probe!
Massive allegations rock Mumbai's Siddhivinayak Temple! The Trust Board admits to donation collection loopholes and a staggering ₹18 crore gap, calling for an urgent Anti-Corruption Bureau investigation. #TempleScam #Mum
Mumbai's iconic Siddhivinayak Temple Trust Board has admitted to significant loopholes in its donation collection process, revealing a staggering ₹18 crore gap. This confession follows explosive allegations made by Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) founder Raj Thackeray, who claimed that donations worth ₹18 crore were being siphoned off annually from the temple.
The Trust Board, on Monday, August 3, 2026, announced that it has formally requested the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) and the Maharashtra Law and Judiciary Department to launch a thorough probe into the matter. This proactive step aims to uncover the extent of the irregularities and restore public trust. Raj Thackeray had also sensationally alleged a ₹1,400 crore theft at the Ram Temple in Ayodhya, highlighting his concern that even places of worship are no longer secure from malpractices.
Sadanand Shankar Sarvankar, Chairperson of the Siddhivinayak Trust Board, elaborated on the nature of the "loopholes." He stated that practices such as charging money for a quick darshan, the presence of touts (dalals) soliciting money around the temple, and even temple workers and security guards accepting payments via Google Pay for facilitating darshans have all been identified and stopped. He assured that these measures have already shown positive results.
As part of the internal crackdown, 46 employees have been suspended, and nine workers have been arrested in connection with the issue, though all are currently out on bail. Rahul Tukaram Londhe, a trustee of the Siddhivinayak Trust Board, provided financial data indicating an improvement after the new measures. He noted that two years ago, weekly collections were around ₹45-₹50 lakh, but have now surged to ₹98 lakh per week. He also shared the annual collection figures: ₹106 crore in 2022-23 and ₹114 crore in 2023-24. The budget for 2024-25 was initially set at ₹134.35 crore, but by March of this year, it had risen to ₹182 crore, reflecting a significant increase in donations. The Trust board has sent a letter to Vishwas Nangare Patil of the Anti-Corruption Bureau, urging an immediate inquiry into these discrepancies.
