Siddhivinayak Trust faces government audit after Raj Thackeray’s Rs 18 crore claim

A five-year audit of Siddhivinayak Temple Trust has been ordered by the Maharashtra government amid allegations of financial irregularities

PGurus Newsdesk

August 5, 2026

Siddhivinayak Temple Trust's accounts will undergo a government audit after controversy over alleged theft of temple donations

Authorities say the review will examine the trust’s financial records and accounting practices

The Maharashtra government has ordered a comprehensive audit of the Shree Siddhivinayak Temple Trust‘s accounts for the last five years, intensifying scrutiny over the finances of one of the country’s richest and most visited temples. The move comes amid allegations of irregularities in the handling of temple donations.

The decision was taken after temple trustees met Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and sought a detailed financial review following claims that large sums from the temple’s donation collections had been siphoned off over the years.

The controversy erupted after MNS chief Raj Thackeray alleged that nearly ₹18 crore was being stolen annually from donations made by devotees. Citing a letter purportedly written by temple trustees, Raj claimed that weekly collections witnessed a sharp jump after employees accused of theft were identified, raising suspicions that money had been diverted for years.

Temple authorities have acknowledged that several employees were suspended over alleged irregularities, including accepting money for VIP darshan, while eight individuals were arrested during the police investigation and later granted bail. The trust, however, has maintained that the matter is already under investigation and that the audit will help establish complete transparency in its financial records.

The Siddhivinayak Temple, located in Mumbai’s Prabhadevi area, receives donations worth hundreds of crores annually from devotees across India and abroad, making financial accountability a matter of significant public interest.

The government-ordered audit is expected to examine donation collections, expenditure, accounting practices and internal financial controls over the past five years. The findings could determine whether further administrative or legal action is required.

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