📷 Image: Wikimedia Commons / Darwininan
Politics
Shinde Orders Audit of Siddhivinayak Temple Donations Amid Theft Allegations
✍️ NDTV
🗓 05 Aug 2026, 11:38 AM
👁 18
Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has directed a comprehensive audit of donations received by the Siddhivinayak Temple after allegations of theft surfaced involving Raj Thackeray.
Maharashtra’s Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has ordered a full audit of the donations collected by the Siddhivinayak Temple in Mumbai, following a theft charge filed against political leader Raj Thackeray. The temple, known as one of India’s wealthiest religious institutions, has come under scrutiny after allegations surfaced that a significant portion of its donations may have been misappropriated.
The order, issued in a public statement, directs the state’s audit department to examine all financial records of the temple over the past several years. Shinde said the audit is necessary to ensure transparency and restore public confidence in the temple’s management.
Raj Thackeray, the leader of the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena, was accused of orchestrating the theft of a large sum of money that was allegedly collected as donations for the temple. The case is currently being investigated by the police, and the audit is expected to provide additional evidence.
The Siddhivinayak Temple, located in the heart of Mumbai, attracts millions of devotees annually and is a major source of revenue for the city’s economy. The audit will scrutinise receipts, bank statements and expenditure reports to determine whether any irregularities exist.
Shinde’s directive comes at a time when the state government is under pressure to address corruption allegations across various public institutions. The audit is expected to be completed within the next few months, with findings to be released to the public.
The order, issued in a public statement, directs the state’s audit department to examine all financial records of the temple over the past several years. Shinde said the audit is necessary to ensure transparency and restore public confidence in the temple’s management.
Raj Thackeray, the leader of the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena, was accused of orchestrating the theft of a large sum of money that was allegedly collected as donations for the temple. The case is currently being investigated by the police, and the audit is expected to provide additional evidence.
The Siddhivinayak Temple, located in the heart of Mumbai, attracts millions of devotees annually and is a major source of revenue for the city’s economy. The audit will scrutinise receipts, bank statements and expenditure reports to determine whether any irregularities exist.
Shinde’s directive comes at a time when the state government is under pressure to address corruption allegations across various public institutions. The audit is expected to be completed within the next few months, with findings to be released to the public.