'Rs 18cr stolen every year': Raj Thackeray alleges Siddhivinayak temple donation scam

TOI News Desk / TIMESOFINDIA.COM / Aug 02, 2026, 09:10 IST Comments Share AA Text Size Small Medium Large Raj Thackeray alleges donation theft at Siddhivinayak Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray on Saturday alleged that donations worth Rs 18 crore were being siphoned off annually at Mumbai's Siddhivinayak Temple and claimed that Rs 1,400 crore had been stolen at the Ram Temple in Ayodhya."Every year, Rs 18 crore was being stolen," Thackeray said.Speaking at a programme organised by the MNS's student wing on Saturday, Raj Thackeray alleged that employees at Mumbai's Siddhivinayak Temple had siphoned off donations from the temple's collection boxes. Citing a letter purportedly written by eight temple trustees to Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, he said the alleged theft came to light due to the trustees' vigilance.Thackeray claimed that the temple's weekly donation collection was below Rs 50 lakh before the alleged theft was uncovered, but increased to around Rs 1.5 crore after those involved were caught.Sada Sarvankar, chairman of the Siddhivinayak Temple Trust and a leader of the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena, said that nine temple employees had been arrested in connection with the alleged theft."We have filed cases wherever required," Sarvankar was quoted as saying by PTI.Sarvankar attributed the rise in donations to measures taken by the temple trust, saying its annual income had increased from Rs 114 crore two years ago to Rs 182 crore. The TOI News Desk comprises a dedicated and tireless team of journalists who operate around the clock to deliver the most current and comprehensive news and updates to the readers of The Times of India worldwide. With an unwavering commitment to excellence in journalism, our team is at the forefront of gathering, verifying, and presenting breaking news, in-depth analysis, and insightful reports on a wide range of topics. The TOI News Desk is your trusted source for staying informed and connected to the ever-evolving global landscape, ensuring that our readers are equipped with the latest developments that matter most." [Image text:] HElelg qlon