Shiv Sena leader and Siddhivinayak Temple Trust chairman Sada Sarvankar has alleged that employees recruited during the tenure of the Uddhav Thackeray-led government were behind the theft of temple donations. He denied allegations against the present trust administration, asserting that strict action has been taken against those found guilty.
The allegations surfaced after MNS president Raj Thackeray claimed that nearly INR 18 crore in temple donations was being misappropriated every year. Responding to the charge, Sarvankar said that nine employees had been arrested in connection with the thefts and that the trust had lodged police complaints in all identified cases.
Sarvankar also stated that the trust has introduced stronger monitoring systems and greater transparency in handling temple funds. He claimed these measures have resulted in a sharp increase in the temple's annual revenue, which has reportedly grown from around INR 114 crore two years ago to nearly INR 182 crore, reflecting improved governance and financial management.
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