Raj Thackeray Alleges ₹18 Crore Annual Donation Theft at Siddhivinayak Temple, Raises Questions Over Temple Fund Misuse
Mumbai: Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray has alleged large-scale financial irregularities at Mumbai’s renowned Siddhivinayak Temple, claiming that nearly ₹18 crore from devotees’ donations was being siphoned off every year before the alleged theft was uncovered.
Addressing a gathering organised by the student wing of the MNS, Thackeray said corruption has reached a level where even religious institutions are no longer immune. He claimed that devotees visit temples with faith and hope, but instances of alleged financial misconduct have shaken public trust.
Referring to the Siddhivinayak Temple donation controversy, Thackeray cited a letter reportedly written by trustees of the temple trust to Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. According to him, temple authorities discovered irregularities after noticing a significant increase in donation collections following action against employees allegedly involved in the theft.
Thackeray claimed that before the alleged scam was detected, the temple’s weekly donation collection remained below ₹50 lakh. However, after the accused employees were identified and action was initiated, weekly collections reportedly increased to around ₹1.5 crore.
Based on these figures, the MNS chief alleged that approximately ₹18 crore was being diverted annually from the temple’s donation funds.
He also raised concerns over reported irregularities linked to donations at the Ram Temple in Ayodhya, alleging that funds amounting to ₹1,400 crore had been misappropriated. Thackeray urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to address the issue and ensure transparency in the management of temple finances.
Responding to the allegations related to Siddhivinayak Temple, trust chairman and Shiv Sena leader Sada Sarvankar confirmed that nine employees had been arrested in connection with the donation theft case. He stated that the trust had filed complaints and taken legal action wherever necessary.
Sarvankar, however, attributed the rise in temple income not only to the crackdown on wrongdoing but also to administrative improvements introduced by the trust. According to him, the temple’s annual income has increased significantly, rising from ₹114 crore two years ago to approximately ₹182 crore at present.
Authorities continue to investigate the alleged theft of donations, while law enforcement agencies are examining evidence related to the case. The allegations have sparked renewed discussions on accountability, transparency and financial oversight in the management of major religious institutions across the country.
The controversy comes amid ongoing investigations into separate allegations of donation-related irregularities at the Ram Temple in Ayodhya, where multiple arrests have reportedly been made and further inquiries are underway.
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