- Special audit to examine cash, jewellery and valuables received over five years.
- Additional Chief Secretary Asim Gupta tasked with preparing a detailed report.
- Raj Thackeray alleged annual donation theft of ₹18 crore at the temple.
- Temple Trust says action has already been taken against around 45 people.
GG News Bureau
Mumbai, 5th Aug: Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has ordered a special audit of donations received by Mumbai’s Siddhivinayak Temple over the past five years, days after Maharashtra Navnirman Sena chief Raj Thackeray alleged large-scale theft of temple donations.
Additional Chief Secretary Asim Gupta has been assigned to examine cash donations, jewellery and other valuables received by the temple and submit a detailed report. Government sources said strict action would follow if irregularities are detected.
The move came after Siddhivinayak Temple Trust Chairman Sada Sarvankar met Shinde on Tuesday amid the growing controversy.
Thackeray had alleged last week that around ₹18 crore in donations were being stolen from the temple every year. Citing a letter he claimed was written by eight trustees to Shinde, the MNS chief said weekly collections were below ₹50 lakh before the alleged theft was detected but subsequently increased to around ₹1.5 crore.
Sarvankar rejected suggestions that the Trust had ignored wrongdoing. He said he had himself approached the Anti-Corruption Bureau, following which surveillance and traps were used to identify those allegedly involved.
According to Sarvankar, main accused Rajan Pendulkar and nine associates were arrested, while action was taken against around 45 people who have since been suspended. He also questioned whether the controversy was being used to tarnish the temple’s reputation.
The Siddhivinayak Temple reportedly recorded revenue of ₹182 crore during the 2025-26 financial year.
