CNN Central News & Network-ITDC India Epress/ITDC News Bhopal: Trustees of Mumbai's Siddhivinayak Temple Trust have refused to resign amid the ongoing controversy over alleged irregularities in temple donations, asserting that they acted promptly to expose the alleged theft and initiate legal action. The row intensified after MNS chief Raj Thackeray alleged that nearly ₹18 crore was being siphoned off annually from devotees' donations. Responding to the allegations, the trustees maintained that they had themselves approached the authorities after detecting suspicious activities and facilitated investigations that led to the arrest of several accused employees. They also claimed that many of the staff members allegedly involved in the theft had been appointed during the previous Uddhav Thackeray-led government, rejecting demands for their resignation.
The trust stated that enhanced surveillance, stricter monitoring, and administrative reforms have significantly increased transparency in handling donations and improved accountability within the temple administration. Officials added that the temple's annual revenue has risen substantially following the implementation of these measures. The controversy has sparked a political debate in Maharashtra, with opposition parties demanding a thorough and impartial probe into the management of temple funds, while the trust has expressed its willingness to cooperate with all ongoing investigations. Authorities continue to examine the matter as public scrutiny over the administration of religious institutions and donation management remains high.
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