Maharashtra CM Orders Investigation into Siddhivinayak Temple Donation Irregularities

Maharashtra's Chief Minister, Devendra Fadnavis, has launched an investigation into alleged donation irregularities at the Siddhivinayak Temple in Mumbai. This action follows accusations from Raj Thackeray, who claimed that around ₹18 crore was misappropriated annually. The investigation will review the temple's financial records from the past five years, and a report is expected soon. This move comes after the arrest of nine employees linked to the allegations and a call for an independent inquiry by Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. Stay tuned for updates on this developing story.

By Narendra Chaudhary Aug 8, 2026, 16:29 IST

Investigation Launched into Temple Donations

The Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Devendra Fadnavis, has initiated a thorough investigation into alleged irregularities concerning donations at the renowned Siddhivinayak Temple in Mumbai. An official confirmed this information on Saturday.

According to reports, the Chief Minister has instructed officials to review the temple's records from the past five years.

This directive follows allegations made by Raj Thackeray, the leader of the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS), who claimed that approximately ₹18 crore was misappropriated from the temple annually. Subsequently, nine employees were arrested, and Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde called for an independent inquiry into the matter.

A delegation from the Siddhivinayak Temple Trust met with Chief Minister Fadnavis, providing a detailed account of the donations and income received between 2023 and 2026.

Following this meeting, the Chief Minister ordered the investigation, emphasizing the need for a prompt submission of the report. Last month, Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde also urged officials to commence an independent investigation into the allegations.